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diff --git a/25953.txt b/25953.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fcdb21d --- /dev/null +++ b/25953.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15443 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Kalevala, Volume I (of 2), by Anonymous, +Translated by W. F. Kirby + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Kalevala, Volume I (of 2) + The Land of the Heroes + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: July 2, 2008 [eBook #25953] + +Language: english + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KALEVALA, VOLUME I (OF 2)*** + + +E-text prepared by R. Cedron, V. L. Simpson, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + [=a] indicates a with macron + [)a] indicates a with breve + [)e] indicates e with breve] + + + + + +Everyman's Library +Edited by Ernest Rhys + +Romance + +KALEVALA + +Translated from the Finnish by + +W. F. KIRBY, F.L.S., F.E.S. + +In 2 Vols. Vol. 1 + + +KALEVALA + +The Land of the Heroes + +VOLUME ONE + + + + + + + +London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd. +New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. Inc. + +All rights reserved +Made in Great Britain +at The Temple Press Letchworth +and decorated by Eric Ravilious +for +J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd. +Aldine House Bedford St. London +First Published in this Edition 1907 +Reprinted 1914, 1923, 1936 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +The _Kalevala_, or the Land of Heroes, as the word may be freely +rendered, is the national epic of Finland, and as that country and its +literature are still comparatively little known to English readers, some +preliminary explanations are here necessary. + +On reference to a map of Europe, it will be seen that the north-western +portion of the Russian Empire forms almost a peninsula, surrounded, +except on the Norwegian and Swedish frontiers, by two great arms of the +Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland; the two great +lakes, Ladoga and Onega; the White Sea, and the Arctic Ocean. In the +north of this peninsula is Lapland, and in the south, Finland. + +The modern history of Finland begins with the year 1157, when the +country was conquered from the original inhabitants by the Swedes, and +Christianity was introduced. Later on, the Finns became Lutherans, and +are a pious, industrious, and law-abiding people, the upper classes +being highly educated. + +During the wars between Sweden and Russia, under Peter the Great and his +successors, much Finnish territory was wrested from Sweden, and St. +Petersburg itself stands on what was formerly Finnish territory. When +what was left of Finland was finally absorbed by Russia in 1809, special +privileges were granted by Alexander I. to the Finns, which his +successors confirmed, and which are highly valued by the people. + +The upper classes speak Swedish and Finnish; and the lower classes +chiefly Finnish. Finnish is upheld by many Finns from patriotic motives, +and there is a considerable modern literature in both languages. +Translations of most standard works by English and other authors are +published in Finnish. + +The Finns call their country _Suomi_ or Marshland; and it is often +spoken of as the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes. The language they speak +belongs to a group called Finnish-Ugrian, or Altaic, and is allied to +Lappish and Esthonian, and more distantly to Turkish and Hungarian, +There are only twenty-one letters in the alphabet; the letter J is +pronounced like Y (as a consonant), and Y almost as a short I. The first +syllable of every word is accented. This renders it difficult to +accommodate such words as _K[=a]l[)e]v[)a]l[=a]_ to the metre; but I +have tried to do my best. + +The Finlanders are very fond of old ballads, of which a great number +have been collected, especially by Elias Lonnrot, to whom it occurred to +arrange a selection into a connected poem, to which he gave the name of +_Kalevala_. This he first published in 1835, in two small volumes +containing twenty-five Runos or Cantos, but afterwards rearranged and +expanded it to fifty Runos; in which form it was published in 1849; and +this was speedily translated into other languages. Perhaps the best +translations are Schiefner's German version (1852) and Collan's Swedish +version (1864). Several volumes of selections and abridgments have also +appeared in America and England; and an English translation by John +Martin Crawford (in two volumes) was published in New York and London in +1889. + +Schiefner used a flexible metre for his translation, which resembles the +original as closely as the different character of Finnish and German +would permit, a metre which had previously, though rarely, been used in +English. His work attracted the attention of Longfellow, whose "Song of +Hiawatha" is only a rather poor imitation of Schiefner's version of the +_Kalevala_, some of the lines being almost identical, and several of the +characters and incidents being more or less distinctly borrowed from +those in the Kalevala. The incidents, however, are generally +considerably altered, and not always for the better. + +It will be seen that Lonnrot edited the _Kalevala_ from old ballads, +much as the poems of Homer, or at least the _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_, are +said to have been put together by order of Pisistratus. + +In the preparation of my own translation, the flexibility of the metre +has permitted me to attempt an almost literal rendering; without, I +hope, sacrificing elegance. The simplicity of the Finnish language and +metre would, in my opinion, render a prose version bald and +unsatisfactory. My chief difficulty has been to fit the Finnish names +into even a simple English metre, so as to retain the correct +pronunciation, and I fear I have not always succeeded in overcoming it +satisfactorily. I am greatly indebted to Prof. Kaarle Krohn and Madame +Aino Malmberg of Helsingfors, for their kindness in looking over the +whole of my typewritten translation, and for numerous suggestions and +comments. Of course I am solely responsible for any errors and +shortcomings which may be detected in my work. + +I have added short notes at the end of each volume, and a glossary of +proper names at the end of the book, but a detailed commentary would be +out of place in a popular edition. The Arguments to each Runo are +translated, slightly modified, from those in the original. + +The religion of the poem is peculiar; it is a Shamanistic animism, +overlaid with Christianity. + +The _Kalevala_ relates the history of four principal heroes: +Vainamoinen, the Son of the Wind, and of the Virgin of the Air; a great +culture-hero, patriarch, and minstrel, always described as a vigorous +old man. The Esthonians call him Vanemuine, and make him the God of +Music. + +His "brother" Ilmarinen appears to be the son of a human mother, though +he is also said to have been "born upon a hill of charcoal." He is a +great smith and craftsman, and is described as a handsome young man. + +The third hero, Lemminkainen, is a jovial, reckless personage, always +getting into serious scrapes, from which he escapes either by his own +skill in magic, or by his mother's. His love for his mother is the +redeeming feature in his character. One of his names is Kaukomieli, and +he is, in part, the original of Longfellow's "Pau-Puk-Keewis." + +The fourth hero is Kullervo, a morose and wicked slave of gigantic +strength, which he always misuses. His history is a terrible tragedy, +which has been compared to that of OEdipus. He is, in part, the +prototype of Longfellow's "Kwasind." He is the principal hero of the +Esthonian ballads, in which he is called Kalevipoeg, the son of Kaiev +(Kaleva in Finnish), the mythical ancestor of the heroes, who does not +appear in person in the _Kalevala_. The history of the Kalevipoeg will +be found in my work entitled _The Hero of Esthonia_, published by Nimmo +in 1895, in two volumes. However, the Esthonians make him not a slave, +but a king. In the _Kalevala_ we meet with no kings, but only +patriarchs, or chiefs of clans. + +The principal heroines of the _Kalevala_ are Ilmatar, the Daughter of +the Air, the Creatrix of the world, in the first Runo, whose counterpart +is Marjatta, the mother of the successor of Vainamoinen, in the last +Runo; Aino, a young Lapp girl beloved of Vainamoinen, whose sad fate +forms one of the most pathetic episodes in the _Kalevala_; Louhi, the +Mistress of Pohjola, or the North Country; and her daughter, afterwards +the wife of Ilmarinen. The character of the daughter of Louhi presents +three phases, which illustrate more than anything else the composite +character of the poem, for it is impossible that any two can have been +drawn by the same hand. + +Firstly, we find her as the beautiful and accomplished daughter of the +witch, playing the part of a Medea, without her cruelty. + +Secondly, we find her as a timid and shrinking bride, in fact almost a +child-bride. + +Thirdly, when married, she appears as a wicked and heartless +peasant-woman of the worst type. + +The heroes are all skilled in magic, and to some extent are able to +command or propitiate even the gods. A peculiarity of Finnish magic is +what is called "the word of origin." + +To control or banish an evil power, it is sufficient to know and to +repeat to it its proper name, and to relate the history of its creation. + +Before concluding the Introduction, it may be well to give a brief +summary of the principal contents of the fifty Runos of the poem. + +Runo I. After a preamble by the bard, he proceeds to relate how the +Virgin of the Air descended into the sea, was tossed about by the winds +and waves, modelled the earth, and brought forth the culture-hero +Vainamoinen, who swims to shore. + +Runo II. Vainamoinen clears and plants the country, and sows barley. + +Runo III. The Laplander Joukahainen presumes to contend with Vainamoinen +in singing, but is plunged by him into a swamp, till he pledges to him +his sister Aino; after which he is released, and returns home +discomfited. But Aino is much distressed at the idea of being obliged to +marry an old man. + +Runo IV. Vainamoinen makes love to Aino in the forest; but she returns +home in grief and anger, and finally wanders away again, and is drowned +while trying to swim out to some water-nymphs in a lake. Her mother +weeps for her incessantly. + +Runo V. Vainamoinen fishes up Aino in the form of a salmon; but she +escapes him, and his mother advises him to seek a bride in Pohjola, the +North Country, sometimes identified with Lapland, but apparently still +further north. + +Runo VI. While Vainamoinen is riding over the water on his magic steed, +Joukahainen shoots the horse under him. Vainamoinen falls into the +water, and is driven onwards by a tempest, while Joukahainen returns to +his mother, who upbraids him for shooting at the minstrel. + +Runo VII. Vainamoinen is carried by an eagle to the neighbourhood of the +Castle of Pohjola, where the chatelaine, Louhi, receives him hospitably, +and offers him her beautiful daughter if he will forge for her the +talisman called the Sampo. He replies that he cannot do so himself, but +will send his brother Ilmarinen, so Louhi gives him a sledge in which to +return home. + +Runo VIII. Vainamoinen, on his journey, finds the daughter of Louhi +sitting on a rainbow weaving, and makes love to her. In trying to +accomplish the tasks she sets him, he wounds himself severely, and +drives away till he finds an old man who promises to stanch the blood. + +Runo IX. The old man heals Vainamoinen by relating the origin of Iron, +and by salving his wounds. + +Runo X. Vainamoinen returns home, and as Ilmarinen declines to go to +Pohjola to forge the Sampo, he causes a whirlwind to carry him to the +castle. Ilmarinen forges the Sampo, but the maiden declines to marry him +at present, and he returns home disconsolate. + +Runos XI.-XV. These Runos relate the early adventures of Lemminkainen. +He carries off and marries the beautiful Kyllikki, but quarrels with +her, and starts off to Pohjola to woo the daughter of Louhi. Louhi sets +him various tasks, and at length he is slain, cast into the river of +Tuoni, the death-god, and is hewed to pieces; but is rescued and +resuscitated by his mother. + +Runos XVI.-XVII. Vainamoinen regrets having renounced the daughter of +Louhi in favour of Ilmarinen, and begins to build a boat, but cannot +complete it without three magic words, which he seeks for in vain in +Tuonela, the death-kingdom, but afterwards jumps down the throat of the +dead giant, Antero Vipunen, and compels him to sing to him all his +wisdom. + +Runos XVIII.-XIX. Vainamoinen and Ilmarinen travel to Pohjola, one by +water and the other by land, and agree that the maiden shall make her +choice between them. She prefers Ilmarinen, who is aided by his bride to +perform all the tasks set him by Louhi. + +Runos XX.-XXV. The wedding is celebrated at Pohjola, an immense ox being +slaughtered for the feast; after which ale is brewed by Osmotar, +"Kaleva's most beauteous daughter." Every one is invited, except +Lemminkainen, who is passed over as too quarrelsome and ill-mannered. +Before the bride and bridegroom leave, they have to listen to long +lectures about their future conduct. + +Runos XXVI.-XXX. Lemminkainen is enraged at not being invited to the +wedding, forces his way into the Castle of Pohjola through the magical +obstacles in his path, and slays the lord of the castle in a duel. He +flies home, and his mother sends him to hide in a distant island where +all the warriors are absent, and where he lives with the women till the +return of the men, when he is again obliged to fly. He returns home, and +finds the whole country laid waste, and only his mother in hiding. +Against her advice, he persuades his old comrade Tiera to join him in +another expedition against Pohjola, but Louhi sends the Frost against +them, and they are driven back in great distress. + +Runos XXXI.-XXXVI. A chief named Untamo lays waste the territory of his +brother Kalervo, and carries off his wife. She gives birth to Kullervo, +who vows vengeance against Untamo in his cradle. Untamo brings Kullervo +up as a slave, but as he spoils everything he touches, sells him to +Ilmarinen. Ilmarinen's wife ill-treats him, and he revenges himself by +giving her over to be devoured by wolves and bears, and escapes to the +forests, where he rejoins his family. One of his sisters has been lost, +and meeting her accidentally and without knowing her, he carries her +off. She throws herself into a torrent, and he returns home. His mother +advises him to go into hiding, but first he makes war on Untamo, +destroys him and his clan, and again returns home. Here he finds all his +people dead, and everything desolate; so he wanders off into the forest, +and falls on his own sword. + +Runos XXXVII.-XLIX. Ilmarinen forges himself a new wife of gold and +silver, but cannot give her life or warmth, so he carries off another +daughter of Louhi; but she angers him so much that he changes her into a +seagull. Ilmarinen and Vainamoinen, who are afterwards joined by +Lemminkainen, now undertake another expedition to Pohjola to carry off +the Sampo. On the way, Vainamoinen constructs a kantele or harp of +pikebone, and lulls Louhi and her people to sleep; but she pursues the +robbers, and first the kantele is lost overboard, and then the Sampo is +broken to pieces and lost in the sea. Vainamoinen saves enough to secure +the prosperity of Kalevala, but Louhi only carries home a small and +almost useless fragment. Vainamoinen then makes a new kantele of +birchwood. Louhi brings pestilence on Kalevala, then sends a bear +against the country, and lastly, steals away the sun and moon, hiding +them in the stone mountain of Pohjola. Vainamoinen drives away the +plagues, kills the bear, and renews fire from a conflagration caused by +a spark sent down from heaven by the god Ukko. Ilmarinen then prepares +chains for Louhi, and terrifies her into restoring the sun and moon to +their original places. + +Runo L. The virgin Marjatta swallows a cranberry, and brings forth a +son, who is proclaimed King of Carelia. Vainamoinen in great anger quits +the country in his boat, but leaves the kantele and his songs behind him +for the pleasure of the people. + + * * * * * + +As a specimen of the Finnish language, I quote the original text of a +few lines from the charming passage at the commencement of Runo VIII +(lines 1-16):-- + + Tuo oli kaunis Pohjan neiti, + Maan kuula, ve'en valio, + Istui ilman wempelella, + Taivon kaarella kajotti + Pukehissa puhtaissa, + Walkeissa vaattehissa; + Kultakangasta kutovi, + Hopeista huolittavi + Kultaisesta sukkulasta, + Pirralla hopeisella. + + Suihki sukkula piossa, + Kaami kaessa kaaperoitsi, + Niiet vaskiset vatisi, + Hopeinen pirta piukki + Neien kangasta kutoissa, + Hopeista huolittaissa. + +The _Kalevala_ is very unlike any poem familiar to general readers, but +it contains much that is extremely curious and interesting; and many +beautiful passages and episodes which are by no means inferior to those +we find in the ballad-literature of better-known countries than Finland. + + + W. F. KIRBY. + +_Chiswick, May_ 1907 + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. I + + + RUNO PAGE + + INTRODUCTION vii + + I. BIRTH OF VaINaMoINEN 1 + + II. VaINaMoINEN'S SOWING 10 + + III. VaINaMoINEN AND JOUKAHAINEN 20 + + IV. THE FATE OF AINO 35 + + V. VaINaMoINEN'S FISHING 48 + + VI. JOUKAHAINEN'S CROSSBOW 55 + + VII. VaINaMoINEN AND LOUHI 61 + + VIII. VaINaMoINEN'S WOUND 71 + + IX. THE ORIGIN OF IRON 78 + + X. THE FORGING OF THE SAMPO 93 + + XI. LEMMINKAINEN AND KYLLIKKI 106 + + XII. LEMMINKAINEN'S FIRST EXPEDITION TO POHJOLA 117 + + XIII. HIISI'S ELK 130 + + XIV. LEMMINKAINEN'S DEATH 137 + + XV. LEMMINKAINEN'S RECOVERY AND RETURN HOME 149 + + XVI. VaINaMoINEN IN TUONELA 166 + + XVII. VaINaMoINEN AND ANTERO VIPUNEN 177 + + XVIII. VaINaMoINEN AND ILMARINEN TRAVEL TO POHJOLA 193 + + XIX. THE EXPLOITS AND BETROTHAL OF ILMARINEN 211 + + XX. THE GREAT OX, AND THE BREWING OF THE ALE 224 + + XXI. THE WEDDING FEAST AT POHJOLA 240 + + XXII. THE TORMENTING OF THE BRIDE 251 + + XXIII. THE INSTRUCTING OF THE BRIDE 264 + + XXIV. THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM 286 + + XXV. THE HOME-COMING OF THE BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM 300 + + NOTES TO RUNOS I-XXV 319 + + + + +RUNO I.--BIRTH OF VaINaMoINEN + + +_Argument_ + +Prelude (1-102). The Virgin of the Air descends into the sea, where she +is fertilized by the winds and waves and becomes the Water-Mother +(103-176). A teal builds its nest on her knee, and lays eggs (177-212). +The eggs fall from the nest and break, but the fragments form the earth, +sky, sun, moon and clouds (213-244). The Water-Mother creates capes, +bays, sea-shores, and the depths and shallows of the ocean (245-280). +Vainamoinen is born from the Water-Mother, and is tossed about by the +waves for a long time until he reaches the shore (281-344). + + I am driven by my longing, + And my understanding urges + That I should commence my singing; + And begin my recitation. + I will sing the people's legends, + And the ballads of the nation. + To my mouth the words are flowing, + And the words are gently falling, + Quickly as my tongue can shape them, + And between my teeth emerging. 10 + + Dearest friend, and much-loved brother, + Best beloved of all companions, + Come and let us sing together, + Let us now begin our converse, + Since at length we meet together, + From two widely sundered regions. + Rarely can we meet together, + Rarely one can meet the other, + In these dismal Northern regions, + In the dreary land of Pohja. 20 + Let us clasp our hands together, + Let us interlock our fingers; + Let us sing a cheerful measure, + Let us use our best endeavours, + While our dear ones hearken to us, + And our loved ones are instructed, + While the young are standing round us, + Of the rising generation, + Let them learn the words of magic. + And recall our songs and legends, 30 + Of the belt of Vainamoinen, + Of the forge of Ilmarinen, + And of Kaukomieli's sword-point, + And of Joukahainen's crossbow: + Of the utmost bounds of Pohja, + And of Kalevala's wide heathlands. + + These my father sang aforetime, + As he carved his hatchet's handle, + And my mother taught me likewise, + As she turned around her spindle, + When upon the floor, an infant, + At her knees she saw me tumbling, 40 + As a helpless child, milk-bearded, + As a babe with mouth all milky. + Tales about the Sampo failed not, + Nor the magic spells of Louhi. + Old at length became the Sampo; + Louhi vanished with her magic; + Vipunen while singing perished; + Lemminkainen in his follies. 50 + + There are many other legends; + Songs I learned of magic import; + Some beside the pathway gathered; + Others broken from the heather; + Others wrested from the bushes; + Others taken from the saplings, + Gathered from the springing verdure, + Or collected from the by-ways, + As I passed along as herd-boy, + As a child in cattle pastures, 60 + On the hillocks, rich in honey, + On the hills, for ever golden, + After Muurikki, the black one, + By the side of dappled Kimmo. + + Then the Frost his songs recited, + And the rain its legends taught me; + Other songs the winds have wafted, + Or the ocean waves have drifted; + And their songs the birds have added, + And the magic spells the tree-tops. 70 + + In a ball I bound them tightly; + And arranged them in a bundle; + On my little sledge I laid it, + On my sleigh I laid the bundle; + Home upon the sledge I brought it, + Then into the barn conveyed it; + In the storehouse loft I placed it, + In a little box of copper. + + In the cold my song was resting, + Long remained in darkness hidden. 80 + I must draw the songs from Coldness, + From the Frost must I withdraw them, + Bring my box into the chamber, + On the bench-end lay the casket, + Underneath this noble gable, + Underneath this roof of beauty. + Shall I ope my box of legends, + And my chest where lays are treasured? + Is the ball to be unravelled, + And the bundle's knot unfastened? 90 + Then I'll sing so grand a ballad, + That it wondrously shall echo, + While the ryebread I am eating, + And the beer of barley drinking. + But though ale should not be brought me, + And though beer should not be offered, + I will sing, though dry my throttle, + Or will sing, with water only, + To enhance our evening's pleasure, + Celebrate the daylight's beauty, 100 + Or the beauty of the daybreak, + When another day is dawning. + + I have often heard related, + And have heard the song recited, + How the nights closed ever lonely, + And the days were shining lonely. + Only born was Vainamoinen, + And revealed the bard immortal, + Sprung from the divine Creatrix, + Born of Ilmatar, his mother. 110 + + Air's young daughter was a virgin, + Fairest daughter of Creation. + Long did she abide a virgin, + All the long days of her girlhood, + In the Air's own spacious mansions, + In those far extending regions. + + Wearily the time passed ever. + And her life became a burden, + Dwelling evermore so lonely, + Always living as a maiden, 120 + In the Air's own spacious mansions, + In those far-extending deserts. + + After this the maid descending, + Sank upon the tossing billows, + On the open ocean's surface, + On the wide expanse of water. + + Then a storm arose in fury, + From the East a mighty tempest, + And the sea was wildly foaming, + And the waves dashed ever higher. 130 + + Thus the tempest rocked the virgin, + And the billows drove the maiden, + O'er the ocean's azure surface, + On the crest of foaming billows, + Till the wind that blew around her, + And the sea woke life within her. + + Then she bore her heavy burden, + And the pain it brought upon her, + Seven long centuries together, + Nine times longer than a lifetime. 140 + Yet no child was fashioned from her, + And no offspring was perfected. + + Thus she swam, the Water-Mother, + East she swam, and westward swam she, + Swam to north-west and to south-west, + And around in all directions, + In the sharpness of her torment, + In her body's fearful anguish; + Yet no child was fashioned from her, + And no offspring was perfected. 150 + + Then she fell to weeping gently, + And in words like these expressed her: + "O how wretched is my fortune, + Wandering thus, a child unhappy! + I have wandered far already, + And I dwell beneath the heaven, + By the tempest tossed for ever, + While the billows drive me onward. + O'er this wide expanse of water, + On the far-extending billows. 160 + + "Better were it had I tarried, + Virgin in aerial regions, + Then I should not drift for ever, + As the Mother of the Waters. + Here my life is cold and dreary, + Every moment now is painful, + Ever tossing on the billows, + Ever floating on the water. + + "Ukko, thou of Gods the highest, + Ruler of the whole of heaven, 170 + Hasten here, for thou art needed; + Hasten here at my entreaty. + Free the damsel from her burden, + And release her from her tortures. + Quickly haste, and yet more quickly, + Where I long for thee so sorely." + + Short the time that passed thereafter, + Scarce a moment had passed over, + Ere a beauteous teal came flying + Lightly hovering o'er the water, 180 + Seeking for a spot to rest in, + Searching for a home to dwell in. + + Eastward flew she, westward flew she. + Flew to north-west and to southward, + But the place she sought she found not, + Not a spot, however barren, + Where her nest she could establish, + Or a resting-place could light on. + + Then she hovered, slowly moving, + And she pondered and reflected, 190 + "If my nest in wind I 'stablish + Or should rest it on the billows, + Then the winds will overturn it, + Or the waves will drift it from me." + + Then the Mother of the Waters, + Water-Mother, maid aerial, + From the waves her knee uplifted, + Raised her shoulder from the billows, + That the teal her nest might 'stablish, + And might find a peaceful dwelling. 200 + Then the teal, the bird so beauteous, + Hovered slow, and gazed around her, + And she saw the knee uplifted + From the blue waves of the ocean, + And she thought she saw a hillock, + Freshly green with springing verdure. + There she flew, and hovered slowly, + Gently on the knee alighting, + And her nest she there established, + And she laid her eggs all golden, 210 + Six gold eggs she laid within it, + And a seventh she laid of iron. + + O'er her eggs the teal sat brooding, + And the knee grew warm beneath her; + And she sat one day, a second, + Brooded also on the third day; + Then the Mother of the Waters, + Water-Mother, maid aerial, + Felt it hot, and felt it hotter, + And she felt her skin was heated, 220 + Till she thought her knee was burning, + And that all her veins were melting. + Then she jerked her knee with quickness, + And her limbs convulsive shaking, + Rolled the eggs into the water, + Down amid the waves of ocean, + And to splinters they were broken, + And to fragments they were shattered. + + In the ooze they were not wasted, + Nor the fragments in the water, 230 + But a wondrous change came o'er them, + And the fragments all grew lovely. + From the cracked egg's lower fragment, + Now the solid earth was fashioned, + From the cracked egg's upper fragment, + Rose the lofty arch of heaven, + From the yolk, the upper portion, + Now became the sun's bright lustre; + From the white, the upper portion, + Rose the moon that shines so brightly; 240 + Whatso in the egg was mottled, + Now became the stars in heaven, + Whatso in the egg was blackish, + In the air as cloudlets floated. + + Now the time passed quickly over, + And the years rolled quickly onward, + In the new sun's shining lustre, + In the new moon's softer beaming. + Still the Water-Mother floated, + Water-Mother, maid aerial, 250 + Ever on the peaceful waters, + On the billows' foamy surface, + With the moving waves before her, + And the heaven serene behind her. + + When the ninth year had passed over, + And the summer tenth was passing, + From the sea her head she lifted, + And her forehead she uplifted, + And she then began Creation, + And she brought the world to order, 260 + On the open ocean's surface, + On the far extending waters. + + Wheresoe'er her hand she pointed, + There she formed the jutting headlands; + Wheresoe'er her feet she rested, + There she formed the caves for fishes; + When she dived beneath the water, + There she formed the depths of ocean; + When towards the land she turned her, + There the level shores extended, 270 + Where her feet to land extended, + Spots were formed for salmon-netting; + Where her head the land touched lightly, + There the curving bays extended. + Further from the land she floated, + And abode in open water, + And created rocks in ocean, + And the reefs that eyes behold not, + Where the ships are often shattered, + And the sailors' lives are ended. 280 + + Now the isles were formed already, + In the sea the rocks were planted; + Pillars of the sky established, + Lands and continents created; + Rocks engraved as though with figures, + And the hills were cleft with fissures. + Still unborn was Vainamoinen; + Still unborn, the bard immortal. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Rested in his mother's body 290 + For the space of thirty summers, + And the sum of thirty winters, + Ever on the placid waters, + And upon the foaming billows. + + So he pondered and reflected + How he could continue living + In a resting-place so gloomy, + In a dwelling far too narrow, + Where he could not see the moonlight, + Neither could behold the sunlight. 300 + + Then he spake the words which follow, + And expressed his thoughts in this wise: + + "Aid me Moon, and Sun release me, + And the Great Bear lend his counsel, + Through the portal that I know not, + Through the unaccustomed passage. + From the little nest that holds me, + From a dwelling-place so narrow, + To the land conduct the roamer, + To the open air conduct me, 310 + To behold the moon in heaven, + And the splendour of the sunlight; + See the Great Bear's stars above me, + And the shining stars in heaven." + + When the moon no freedom gave him, + Neither did the sun release him, + Then he wearied of existence, + And his life became a burden. + Thereupon he moved the portal, + With his finger, fourth in number, 320 + Opened quick the bony gateway, + With the toes upon his left foot, + With his nails beyond the threshold, + With his knees beyond the gateway. + + Headlong in the water falling, + With his hands the waves repelling, + Thus the man remained in ocean, + And the hero on the billows. + + In the sea five years he sojourned, + Waited five years, waited six years, 330 + Seven years also, even eight years, + On the surface of the ocean, + By a nameless promontory, + Near a barren, treeless country. + + On the land his knees he planted, + And upon his arms he rested, + Rose that he might view the moonbeams, + And enjoy the pleasant sunlight, + See the Great Bear's stars above him, + And the shining stars in heaven. 340 + + Thus was ancient Vainamoinen, + He, the ever famous minstrel, + Born of the divine Creatrix, + Born of Ilmatar, his mother. + + + + +RUNO II.--VaINaMoINEN'S SOWING + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen lands on a treeless country and directs Sampsa Pellervoinen +to sow trees (1-42). At first the oak will not grow, but after repeated +sowings it springs up, overshadows the whole country, and hides the sun +and moon (43-110). A little man rises from the sea, who fells the oak, +and permits the sun and moon to shine again (111-224). Birds sing in the +trees; herbs, flowers and berries grow on the ground; only the barley +will not spring up (225-256). Vainamoinen finds some barleycorns in the +sand on the shore, and fells the forest, leaving only a birch-tree as a +resting-place for the birds (257-264). The eagle, grateful for this, +strikes fire, and the felled trees are consumed (265-284). Vainamoinen +sows the barley, prays to Ukko for its increase, and it grows and +flourishes (285-378). + + Then did Vainamoinen, rising, + Set his feet upon the surface + Of a sea-encircled island, + In a region bare of forest. + + There he dwelt, while years passed over, + And his dwelling he established + On the silent, voiceless island, + In a barren, treeless country. + + Then he pondered and reflected, + In his mind he turned it over, 10 + "Who shall sow this barren country, + Thickly scattering seeds around him?" + + Pellervoinen, earth-begotten, + Sampsa, youth of smallest stature, + Came to sow the barren country, + Thickly scattering seeds around him. + + Down he stooped the seeds to scatter, + On the land and in the marshes, + Both in flat and sandy regions, + And in hard and rocky places. 20 + On the hills he sowed the pine-trees, + On the knolls he sowed the fir-trees, + And in sandy places heather; + Leafy saplings in the valleys. + + In the dales he sowed the birch-trees, + In the loose earth sowed the alders, + Where the ground was damp the cherries, + Likewise in the marshes, sallows. + Rowan-trees in holy places, + Willows in the fenny regions, 30 + Juniper in stony districts, + Oaks upon the banks of rivers. + + Now the trees sprang up and flourished, + And the saplings sprouted bravely. + With their bloom the firs were loaded, + And the pines their boughs extended. + In the dales the birch was sprouting, + In the loose earth rose the alders, + Where the ground was damp the cherries, + Juniper in stony districts, 40 + Loaded with its lovely berries; + And the cherries likewise fruited. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Came to view the work in progress, + Where the land was sown by Sampsa, + And where Pellervoinen laboured. + While he saw the trees had flourished, + And the saplings sprouted bravely, + Yet had Jumala's tree, the oak-tree, + Not struck down its root and sprouted. 50 + + Therefore to its fate he left it, + Left it to enjoy its freedom, + And he waited three nights longer, + And as many days he waited. + Then he went and gazed around him, + When the week was quite completed. + Yet had Jumala's tree, the oak-tree, + Not struck down its root and sprouted. + + Then he saw four lovely maidens; + Five, like brides, from water rising; 60 + And they mowed the grassy meadow, + Down they cut the dewy herbage, + On the cloud-encompassed headland, + On the peaceful island's summit, + What they mowed, they raked together, + And in heaps the hay collected. + + From the ocean rose up Tursas, + From the waves arose the hero, + And the heaps of hay he kindled, + And the flames arose in fury. 70 + All was soon consumed to ashes, + Till the sparks were quite extinguished. + + Then among the heaps of ashes, + In the dryness of the ashes, + There a tender germ he planted, + Tender germ, of oak an acorn + Whence the beauteous plant sprang upward, + And the sapling grew and flourished, + As from earth a strawberry rises, + And it forked in both directions. 80 + Then the branches wide extended, + And the leaves were thickly scattered, + And the summit rose to heaven, + And its leaves in air expanded. + + In their course the clouds it hindered, + And the driving clouds impeded, + And it hid the shining sunlight, + And the gleaming of the moonlight. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Pondered deeply and reflected, 90 + "Is there none to fell the oak-tree, + And o'erthrow the tree majestic? + Sad is now the life of mortals, + And for fish to swim is dismal, + Since the air is void of sunlight, + And the gleaming of the moonlight." + + But they could not find a hero, + Nowhere find a man so mighty, + Who could fell the giant oak-tree, + With its hundred spreading branches. 100 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Spoke the very words which follow; + "Noble mother, who hast borne me, + Luonnotar, who me hast nurtured; + Send me powers from out the ocean: + (Numerous are the powers of ocean) + So that they may fell the oak-tree, + And destroy the tree so baneful, + That the sun may shine upon us. + And the pleasant moonlight glimmer." 110 + + Then a man arose from ocean, + From the waves a hero started, + Not the hugest of the hugest, + Nor the smallest of the smallest. + As a man's thumb was his stature; + Lofty as the span of woman. + + Decked his head a helm of copper, + On his feet were boots of copper, + On his hands were copper gauntlets. + Gloves adorned with copper tracings; 120 + Round his waist his belt was copper; + In his belt his axe was copper; + And the haft thereof was thumb-long, + And the blade thereof was nail-long. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Deeply pondered and reflected: + "While he seems a man in semblance, + And a hero in appearance, + Yet his height is but a thumb-length, + Scarce as lofty as an ox-hoof." 130 + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "Who are you, my little fellow, + Most contemptible of heroes, + Than a dead man scarcely stronger; + And your beauty all has vanished." + + Then the puny man from ocean, + Hero of the floods, made answer: + "I'm a man as you behold me, + Small, but mighty water-hero, 140 + I have come to fell the oak-tree, + And to splinter it to fragments." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "You have hardly been created, + Neither made, nor so proportioned, + As to fell this mighty oak-tree, + Overthrow the tree stupendous." + + Scarcely had the words been spoken, + While his gaze was fixed upon him, 150 + When the man transformed before him, + And became a mighty hero. + While his feet the earth were stamping, + To the clouds his head he lifted, + To his knees his beard was flowing, + To his spurs his locks descended. + Fathom-wide his eyes were parted, + Fathom-wide his trousers measured; + Round his knee the girth was greater, + And around his hip 'twas doubled. 160 + Then he sharpened keen the axe-blade, + Brought the polished blade to sharpness; + Six the stones on which he ground it, + Seven the stones on which he whet it. + + Then the man stepped forward lightly, + Hastened on to do his mission; + Wide his trousers, and they fluttered + Round his legs as onward strode he, + And the first step taken, brought him + To the shore so soft and sandy; 170 + With the second stride he landed + On the dun ground further inland, + And the third step brought him quickly, + Where the oak itself was rooted. + + With his axe he smote the oak-tree, + With his sharpened blade he hewed it; + Once he smote it, twice he smote it, + And the third stroke wholly cleft it. + From the axe the flame was flashing, + Flame was bursting from the oak-tree, 180 + As he strove to fell the oak-tree, + Overthrow the tree stupendous. + Thus the third blow was delivered, + And the oak-tree fell before him, + For the mighty tree was shattered, + And the hundred boughs had fallen, + And the trunk extended eastward, + And the summit to the north-west, + And the leaves were scattered southwards, + And the branches to the northward. 190 + + He who took a branch from off it, + Took prosperity unceasing, + What was broken from the summit, + Gave unending skill in magic; + He who broke a leafy branchlet, + Gathered with it love unending. + What remained of fragments scattered, + Chips of wood, and broken splinters, + On the bright expanse of ocean, + On the far-extending billows, 200 + In the breeze were gently rocking, + On the waves were lightly drifted. + Like the boats on ocean's surface, + Like the ships amid the sea-waves. + + Northward drove the wind the fragments, + Where the little maid of Pohja, + Stood on beach, and washed her head-dress, + And she washed her clothes and rinsed them, + On the shingle by the ocean, + On a tongue of land projecting. 210 + + On the waves she saw the fragments, + Put them in her birchbark wallet, + In her wallet took them homeward; + In the well-closed yard she stored them, + For the arrows of the sorcerer, + For the chase to furnish weapons. + + When the oak at last had fallen, + And the evil tree was levelled, + Once again the sun shone brightly, + And the pleasant moonlight glimmered, 220 + And the clouds extended widely, + And the rainbow spanned the heavens, + O'er the cloud-encompassed headland, + And the island's misty summit. + + Then the wastes were clothed with verdure, + And the woods grew up and flourished; + Leaves on trees and grass in meadows. + In the trees the birds were singing, + Loudly sang the cheery throstle; + In the tree-tops called the cuckoo. 230 + + Then the earth brought forth her berries; + Shone the fields with golden blossoms; + Herbs of every species flourished; + Plants and trees of all descriptions; + But the barley would not flourish, + Nor the precious seed would ripen. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Walked around, and deeply pondered, + By the blue waves' sandy margin, + On the mighty ocean's border, 240 + And six grains of corn he found there, + Seven fine seeds of corn he found there, + On the borders of the ocean, + On the yielding sandy margin. + In a marten's skin he placed them, + From the leg of summer squirrel. + + Then he went to sow the fallows; + On the ground the seeds to scatter, + Near to Kaleva's own fountain, + And upon the field of Osmo. 250 + + From a tree there chirped the titmouse: + "Osmo's barley will not flourish, + Nor will Kaleva's oats prosper, + While untilled remains the country, + And uncleared remains the forest, + Nor the fire has burned it over." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Ground his axe-blade edge to sharpness + And began to fell the forest, + Toiling hard to clear the country. 260 + All the lovely trees he levelled, + Sparing but a single birch-tree, + That the birds might rest upon it, + And from thence might call the cuckoo. + + In the sky there soared an eagle, + Of the birds of air the greatest, + And he came and gazed around him. + "Wherefore is the work unfinished, + And the birch-tree still unfallen? + Wherefore spare the beauteous birch-tree?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, 270 + "Therefore is the birch left standing, + That the birds may perch upon it; + All the birds of air may rest there." + + Said the bird of air, the eagle, + "Very wisely hast thou acted, + Thus to leave the birch-tree standing + And the lovely tree unfallen, + That the birds may perch upon it, + And that I myself may rest there." + + Then the bird of air struck fire, 280 + And the flames rose up in brightness, + While the north wind fanned the forest, + And the north-east wind blew fiercely. + All the trees were burned to ashes, + Till the sparks were quite extinguished. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Took the six seeds from his satchel, + And he took the seven small kernels, + From the marten's skin he took them, + From the leg of summer squirrel, 290 + From the leg of summer ermine. + + Then he went to sow the country, + And to scatter seeds around him, + And he spoke the words which follow; + "Now I stoop the seeds to scatter, + As from the Creator's fingers, + From the hand of Him Almighty, + That the country may be fertile, + And the corn may grow and flourish. + + "Patroness of lowland country, 300 + Old one of the plains; Earth-Mother, + Let the tender blade spring upward, + Let the earth support and cherish. + Might of earth will never fail us, + Never while the earth existeth, + When the Givers are propitious. + And Creation's daughters aid us. + + "Rise, O earth; from out thy slumber, + Field of the Creator, rouse thee, + Make the blade arise and flourish. 310 + Let the stalks grow up and lengthen, + That the ears may grow by thousands, + Yet a hundredfold increasing, + By my ploughing and my sowing, + In return for all my labour. + + "Ukko, thou of Gods the highest. + Father, thou in heaven abiding, + Thou to whom the clouds are subject. + Of the scattered clouds the ruler, 320 + All thy clouds do thou assemble, + In the light make clear thy counsel, + Send thou forth a cloud from eastwards + In the north-west let one gather, + Send thou others from the westward, + Let them drive along from southward. + Send the light rain forth from heaven, + Let the clouds distil with honey, + That the corn may sprout up strongly, + And the stalks may wave and rustle." 330 + + Ukko, then, of Gods the highest, + Father of the highest heaven, + Heard, and all the clouds assembled. + In the light made clear his counsel, + And he sent a cloud from eastward. + In the north-west let one gather, + Others, too, he sent from westward, + Let them drive along from southward, + Linked them edge to edge together, + And he closed the rifts between them. 340 + Then he sent the rain from heaven, + And the clouds distilled sweet honey, + That the corn might sprout up stronger, + And the stalks might wave and rustle. + Thus the sprouting germ was nourished, + And the rustling stalks grew upward, + From the soft earth of the cornfield. + Through the toil of Vainamoinen. + + After this, two days passed over, + After two nights, after three nights, 350 + When the week was full completed, + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Wandered forth to see the progress; + How his ploughing and his sowing + And his labours had resulted. + There he found the barley growing, + And the ears were all six-cornered, + And the stalks were all three-knotted. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Wandered on and gazed around him, 360 + And the cuckoo, bird of springtime, + Came and saw the birch-tree growing. + "Wherefore is the birch left standing, + And unfelled the slender birch-tree?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Therefore is the birch left standing, + And unfelled the slender birch-tree, + As a perch for thee, O Cuckoo; + Whence the cuckoo's cry may echo. + From thy sand-hued throat cry sweetly, 370 + With thy silver voice call loudly, + With thy tin-like voice cry clearly, + Call at morning, call at evening, + And at noontide call thou likewise, + To rejoice my plains surrounding, + That my woods may grow more cheerful, + That my coast may grow more wealthy, + And my region grow more fruitful." + + + + +RUNO III.--VaINaMoINEN AND JOUKAHAINEN + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen increases in wisdom and composes songs (1-20). Joukahainen +sets out to contend with him in wisdom; but as he cannot overcome him, +he challenges him to a duel, whereupon Vainamoinen grows angry, and +sinks him in a swamp by his magic songs (21-330). Joukahainen, in great +distress, finally offers his sister Aino in marriage to Vainamoinen, who +accepts the offer and releases him (331-476). Joukahainen returns home +discomfited, and relates his misfortunes to his mother (477-524). The +mother rejoices at the prospect of such an alliance, but the daughter +laments and weeps (525-580). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast + Passed the days of his existence + Where lie Vainola's sweet meadows, + Kalevala's extended heathlands: + There he sang his songs of sweetness + Sang his songs and proved his wisdom. + + Day by day he sang unwearied, + Night by night discoursed unceasing, + Sang the songs of by-gone ages, + Hidden words of ancient wisdom, 10 + Songs which all the children sing not. + All beyond men's comprehension, + In these ages of misfortune, + When the race is near Its ending. + + Far away the news was carried, + Far abroad was spread the tidings + Of the songs of Vainamoinen, + Of the wisdom of the hero; + In the south was spread the rumour; + Reached to Pohjola the tidings. 20 + + Here dwelt youthful Joukahainen, + He, the meagre youth of Lapland; + And, when visiting the village, + Wondrous tales he heard related, + How there dwelt another minstrel, + And that better songs were carolled. + Far in Vainola's sweet meadows, + Kalevala's extended heathlands; + Better songs than he could compass; + Better than his father taught him. 30 + + This he heard with great displeasure, + And his heart was filled with envy + That the songs of Vainamoinen + Better than his own were reckoned. + Then he went to seek his mother; + Sought her out, the aged woman, + And declared that he would journey, + And was eager to betake him, + Unto Vainola's far dwellings, + That he might contend with Vaino. 40 + + But his father straight forbade him. + Both his father and his mother, + Thence to Vainola to journey, + That he might contend with Vaino. + "He will surely sing against you, + Sing against you, and will ban you, + Sink your mouth and head in snow-drifts, + And your hands in bitter tempest: + Till your hands and feet are stiffened, + And incapable of motion." 50 + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "Good the counsel of my father, + And my mother's counsel better; + Best of all my own opinion. + I will set myself against him, + And defy him to a contest, + I myself my songs will sing him, + I myself will speak my mantras; + Sing until the best of minstrels + Shall become the worst of singers. 60 + Shoes of stone will I provide him, + Wooden trousers on his haunches; + On his breast a stony burden, + And a rock upon his shoulders; + Stony gloves his hands shall cover. + And his head a stony helmet." + + Then he went his way unheeding, + Went his way, and fetched his gelding, + From whose mouth the fire was flashing, + 'Neath whose legs the sparks were flying. 70 + Then the fiery steed he harnessed, + To the golden sledge he yoked him, + In the sledge himself he mounted, + And upon the seat he sat him, + O'er the horse his whip he brandished, + With the beaded whip he smote him, + From the place the horse sprang quickly, + And he darted lightly forwards. + + On he drove with thundering clatter, + As he drove a day, a second, 80 + Driving also on the third day, + And at length upon the third day, + Came to Vainola's sweet meadows, + Kalevala's extended heathlands. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + He, the oldest of magicians, + As it chanced was driving onward, + Peacefully his course pursuing + On through Vainola's sweet meadows, + Kalevala's extended heathlands. 90 + + Came the youthful Joukahainen + Driving on the road against him, + And the shafts were wedged together, + And the reins were all entangled, + And the collar jammed with collar, + And the runners dashed together. + + Thus their progress was arrested, + Thus they halted and reflected; + Sweat dropped down upon the runners; + From the shafts the steam was rising. 100 + + Asked the aged Vainamoinen, + "Who are you, and what your lineage, + You who drive so reckless onward, + Utterly without reflection? + Broken are the horses' collars, + And the wooden runners likewise; + You have smashed my sledge to pieces. + Broke the sledge in which I travelled." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow: 110 + "I am youthful Joukahainen; + But yourself should also tell me, + What your race, and what your nation, + And from what vile stock you issue." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Told his name without concealment, + And began to speak as follows: + "Youth, if you are Joukahainen, + You should move aside a little. + For remember, you are younger." 120 + + But the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow: + "Here of youthfulness we reck not; + Nought doth youth or age concern us, + He who highest stands in knowledge, + He whose wisdom is the greatest, + Let him keep the path before him, + And the other yield the passage. + If you are old Vainamoinen, + And the oldest of the minstrels, 130 + Let us give ourselves to singing, + Let us now repeat our sayings, + That the one may teach the other. + And the one surpass the other," + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "What can I myself accomplish + As a wise man or a singer? + I have passed my life in quiet, + Here among these very moorlands, 140 + On the borders of my home-field + I have heard the cuckoo calling. + But apart from this at present, + I will ask you to inform me + What may be your greatest wisdom; + And the utmost of your knowledge?" + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "Many things I know in fulness, + And I know with perfect clearness, + And my insight shows me plainly, 150 + In the roof we find the smoke-hole, + And the fire is near the hearthstone. + + "Joyful life the seal is leading, + In the waves there sports the sea-dog, + And he feeds upon the salmon, + And the powans round about him. + + "Smooth the water loved by powans, + Smooth the surface, too, for salmon; + And in frost the pike is spawning, + Slimy fish in wintry weather. 160 + Sluggish is the perch, the humpback, + In the depths it swims in autumn, + But it spawns in drought of summer, + Swimming slowly to the margin. + + "If this does not yet suffice you, + I am wise in other matters, + And of weighty things can tell you. + In the north they plough with reindeer, + In the south the mare is useful, + And the elk In furthest Lapland. 170 + + "Trees I know on Pisa mountain, + Firs upon the rocks of Horna, + Tall the trees on Pisa mountain, + And the firs on rocks of Horna. + + "Three great waterfalls I know of, + And as many lakes extensive, + And as many lofty mountains, + Underneath the vault of heaven. + Hallapyora is in Hame, + Karjala has Kaatrakoski, 180 + But they do not match the Vuoksi, + There where Imatra is rushing." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Childish tales, and woman's wisdom, + But for bearded men unsuited, + And for married men unfitted. + Tell me words of deepest wisdom. + Tell me now of things eternal." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow: 190 + "Well I know whence comes the titmouse, + That the titmouse is a birdie, + And a snake the hissing viper, + And the ruffe a fish in water. + And I know that hard is iron, + And that mud when black is bitter. + Painful, too, is boiling water, + And the heat of fire is hurtful, + Water is the oldest medicine, + Cataract's foam a magic potion; 200 + The Creator's self a sorcerer, + Jumala the Great Magician. + + "From the rock springs forth the water, + And the fire from heaven descendeth, + And from ore we get the iron, + And in hills we find the copper. + + "Marshy country is the oldest, + And the first of trees the willow. + Pine-roots were the oldest houses, + And the earliest pots were stone ones." 210 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Is there more that you can tell me, + Or is this the end of nonsense?" + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "Many little things I wot of, + And the time I well remember + When 'twas I who ploughed the ocean, + Hollowed out the depths of ocean, + And I dug the caves for fishes, 220 + And I sunk the deep abysses, + When the lakes I first created, + And I heaped the hills together. + And the rocky mountains fashioned. + + "Then I stood with six great heroes! + I myself the seventh among them. + When the earth was first created, + And the air above expanded; + For the sky I fixed the pillars. + And I reared the arch of heaven, 230 + To the moon assigned his journey, + Helped the sun upon his pathway, + To the Bear his place appointed, + And the stars in heaven I scattered," + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Ay, indeed, a shameless liar! + You at least were never present + When the ocean first was furrowed, + And the ocean depths were hollowed. + And the caves were dug for fishes, 240 + And the deep abysses sunken, + And the lakes were first created, + When the hills were heaped together, + And the rocky mountains fashioned. + + "No one ever yet had seen you, + None had seen you, none had heard you. + When the earth was first created, + And the air above expanded, + When the posts of heaven were planted, + And the arch of heaven exalted, 250 + When the moon was shown his pathway, + And the sun was taught to journey, + When the Bear was fixed in heaven, + And the stars in heaven were scattered." + + But the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow: + "If I fail in understanding, + I will seek it at the sword-point. + O thou aged Vainamoinen, + O thou very broad-mouthed minstrel, 260 + Let us measure swords together, + Let the blade decide between us." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "I have little cause to fret me + Either for your sword or wisdom, + For your sword-point or your judgment. + But, apart from this at present, + I will draw no sword upon you, + So contemptible a fellow, + And so pitiful a weakling." 270 + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Shook his head, his mouth drawn crooked, + And he tossed his locks of blackness. + And he spake the words which follow: + + "He who shuns the sword's decision, + Nor betakes him to his sword-blade, + To a swine I soon will sing him, + To a snouted swine transform him. + Heroes I have thus o'erpowered, + Hither will I drive and thither. 280 + And will pitch them on the dunghill, + Grunting in the cowshed corner." + + Angry then was Vainamoinen, + Filled with wrath and indignation, + And himself commenced his singing, + And to speak his words of wisdom. + But he sang no childish ditties, + Children's songs and women's jesting, + But a song for bearded heroes, + Such as all the children sing not, 290 + Nor a half the boys can master, + Nor a third can lovers compass, + In the days of dark misfortune, + When our life is near its ending. + + Sang the aged Vainamoinen; + Lakes swelled up, and earth was shaken, + And the coppery mountains trembled. + And the mighty rocks resounded. + And the mountains clove asunder; + On the shore the stones were shivered. 300 + Then he sang of Joukahainen, + Changed his runners into saplings, + And to willows changed the collar, + And the reins he turned to alder, + And he sang the sledge all gilded, + To the lake among the rushes, + And the whip, with beads embellished, + To a reed upon the water, + And the horse, with front white-spotted + To a stone beside the torrent. 310 + + Then he sang his sword, gold-hilted, + To a lightning-flash in heaven, + And his ornamented crossbow, + To a rainbow o'er the water, + And he sang his feathered arrows, + Into hawks that soar above him; + And his dog, with upturned muzzle, + Stands a stone in earth embedded. + + From his head, his cap, by singing, + Next became a cloud above him, 320 + From his hands, his gloves, by singing, + Next were changed to water-lilies, + And the blue coat he was wearing, + Floats a fleecy cloud in heaven, + And the handsome belt that girt him, + In the sky as stars he scattered. + + As he sang, sank Joukahainen + Waist-deep in the swamp beneath him, + Hip-deep in the marshy meadow, + To his arm-pits in a quicksand. 330 + Then indeed young Joukahainen + Knew at last, and comprehended; + And he knew his course was finished, + And his journey now was ended. + For in singing he was beaten, + By the aged Vainamoinen. + + He would raise his foot to struggle + But he could no longer lift it; + Then he tried to lift the other, + But as shod with stone he felt it. 340 + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Felt the greatest pain and anguish, + And he fell in grievous trouble, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O thou wisest Vainamoinen, + O thou oldest of magicians, + Speak thy words of magic backwards, + And reverse thy songs of magic. + Loose me from this place of terror, + And release me from my torment. 350 + I will pay the highest ransom, + And the fixed reward will give thee." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "What do you propose to give me, + If I turn my words of magic, + And reverse my songs of magic, + Loose you from this place of terror, + And release you from your torment?" + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "I've two crossbows I could give you, 360 + Ay, a pair of splendid crossbows, + One shoots forth with passing quickness, + Surely hits the mark the other. + If it please you, choose between them." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "No, your bows I do not covet, + For the wretched bows I care not; + I myself have plenty of them. + All the walls are decked with crossbows, + All the pegs are hung with crossbows; 370 + In the woods they wander hunting, + Nor a hero needs to span them." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + In the swamp he sang yet deeper. + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "I have yet two boats to offer; + Splendid boats, as I can witness, + One is light, and fit for racing, + Heavy loads will bear the other; + If it please you, choose between them." 380 + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "No, your boats I do not covet, + And I will not choose between them, + I myself have plenty of them. + All the staves are full already, + Every creek is crowded with them, + Boats to face the gale adapted, + Boats against the wind that travel." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen, + in the swamp he sang yet deeper. 390 + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "I have still two noble stallions; + Ay, a pair of handsome horses; + One of these of matchless swiftness, + And the other best in harness. + If it please you, choose between them." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "No, I do not want your horses; + Do not need your steeds, white-footed. + I myself have plenty of them. 400 + Every stall has now its tenant, + Every stable's filled with horses, + With their backs like water shining; + Lakes of fat upon their haunches." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen, + In the swamp he sang yet deeper. + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Speak thy words of magic backwards, + And reverse thy songs of magic. 410 + I will give a golden helmet, + And a hat filled up with silver, + Which my father won in warfare, + Which he won in battle-struggle." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "No, I do not want your silver, + And for gold, I only scorn it. + I myself have both in plenty. + Every storeroom crammed with treasure. + Every chest is overflowing. 420 + Gold as ancient as the moonlight, + Silver with the sun coeval." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + In the swamp he sang yet deeper. + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Loose me from this place of terror, + And release me from my torment. + All my stacks at home I'll give thee, + And my fields I likewise promise, 430 + All to save my life I offer, + If you will accept my ransom." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "No, your barns I do not covet, + And your fields are 'neath my notice, + I myself have plenty of them. + Fields are mine in all directions, + Stocks are reared on every fallow, + And my own fields please me better, + And my stacks of corn are finest." 440 + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + In the swamp he sang yet deeper. + + Then the youthful Joukahainen, + Felt at length the greatest anguish, + Chin-deep in the swamp while sinking, + In the mud his beard was draggled, + In the moss his mouth was sunken, + And his teeth among the tree-roots. + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "O thou wisest Vainamoinen, 450 + O thou oldest of magicians, + Sing once more thy songs of magic, + Grant the life of one so wretched, + And release me from my prison. + In the stream my feet are sunken, + With the sand my eyes are smarting. + + "Speak thy words of magic backwards, + Break the spell that overwhelms me! + You shall have my sister Aino, + I will give my mother's daughter. 460 + She shall dust your chamber for you, + Sweep the flooring with her besom, + Keep the milk-pots all in order; + And shall wash your garments for you. + Golden fabrics she shall weave you, + And shall bake you cakes of honey." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Heard his words, and grew full joyful, + Since to tend his age was promised + Joukahainen's lovely sister. 470 + + On the stone of joy he sat him, + On the stone of song he rested, + Sang an hour, and sang a second, + And again he sang a third time: + Thus reversed his words of magic, + And dissolved the spell completely. + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + From the mud his chin uplifted, + And his beard he disentangled, + From the rock his steed led forward, 480 + Drew his sledge from out the bushes, + From the reeds his whip unloosing. + + Then upon his sledge he mounted, + And upon the seat he sat him, + And with gloomy thoughts he hastened, + With a heart all sad and doleful, + Homeward to his dearest mother, + Unto her, the aged woman. + + On he drove with noise and tumult, + Home he drove in consternation, 490 + And he broke the sledge to pieces, + At the door the shafts were broken. + + Then the noise alarmed his mother, + And his father came and asked him, + "Recklessly the sledge was broken; + Did you break the shafts on purpose? + Wherefore do you drive so rashly, + And arrive at home so madly?" + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Could not keep his tears from flowing; 500 + Sad he bowed his head in sorrow, + And his cap awry he shifted, + And his lips were dry and stiffened, + O'er his mouth his nose was drooping. + + Then his mother came and asked him + Wherefore was he sunk in sorrow. + "O my son, why weep so sadly? + O my darling, why so troubled, + With thy lips so dry and stiffened, + O'er thy mouth thy nose thus drooping?" 510 + + Said the youthful Joukahainen, + "O my mother, who hast borne me, + There is cause for what has happened, + For the sorcerer has o'ercome me. + Cause enough have I for weeping, + And the sorcerer's brought me sorrow. + I myself must weep for ever, + And must pass my life in mourning, + For my very sister Aino, + She, my dearest mother's daughter, 520 + I have pledged to Vainamoinen, + As the consort of the minstrel, + To support his feeble footsteps, + And to wait upon him always." + + Joyous clapped her hands his mother, + Both her hands she rubbed together, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Do not weep, my son, my dearest, + For thy tears are quite uncalled for. + Little cause have we to sorrow, 530 + For the hope I long have cherished. + All my lifetime I have wished it, + And have hoped this high-born hero + Might akin to us be reckoned, + And the minstrel Vainamoinen + Might become my daughter's husband." + + But when Joukahainen's sister + Heard, she wept in deepest sorrow, + Wept one day, and wept a second, + At the threshold ever weeping, 540 + Wept in overwhelming sorrow, + In the sadness of her spirit. + + Then her mother said consoling, + "Wherefore weep, my little Aino? + You have gained a valiant bridegroom, + And the home of one most noble, + Where you'll look from out the window, + Sitting on the bench and talking." + + But her daughter heard and answered, + "O my mother who hast borne me, 550 + Therefore have I cause for weeping, + Weeping for the beauteous tresses, + Now my youthful head adorning, + And my hair so soft and glossy, + Which must now be wholly hidden, + While I still am young and blooming. + + "Then must I through lifetime sorrow + For the splendour of the sunlight, + And the moonbeam's charming lustre + And the glory of the heavens, 560 + Which I leave, while still so youthful, + And as child must quite abandon, + I must leave my brother's work-room, + Just beyond my father's window." + + Said the mother to the daughter, + To the girl the crone made answer, + "Cast away this foolish sorrow, + Cease your weeping, all uncalled for, + Little cause have you for sorrow, + Little cause for lamentation. 570 + God's bright sun is ever shining + On the world in other regions, + Shines on other doors and windows + Than your father's or your brother's; + Berries grow on every mountain, + Strawberries on the plains are growing, + You can pluck them in your sorrow + Wheresoe'er your steps may lead you; + Not alone on father's acres, + Or upon your brother's clearings." 580 + + + + +RUNO IV.--THE FATE OF AINO + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen meets Aino in the wood and addresses her (1-20). Aino +hurries home weeping, and informs her mother (21-116). Her mother +forbids her to weep, and tells her to rejoice, and to adorn herself +handsomely (117-188). Aino continues to weep, and declares that she will +never take a very old man as her husband (189-254). She wanders +sorrowfully into the wild woods, and reaches the banks of a strange +unknown lake, where she goes to bathe, and is lost in the water +(255-370). The animals commission the hare to carry the tidings of +Aino's death to her home (371-434). Her mother weeps for her night and +day (435-518). + + Then the little maiden Aino, + Youthful Joukahainen's sister, + Went for besoms to the greenwood, + Sought for bath-whisks in the bushes; + One she gathered for her father, + And a second for her mother, + And she gathered yet another, + For her young and ruddy brother. + + As she turned her footsteps homeward, + Pushing through the alder-bushes, 10 + Came the aged Vainamoinen, + And he saw her in the thicket, + Finely clad among the herbage, + And he spoke the words which follow. + "Maiden, do not wear for others, + But for me alone, O maiden, + Round thy neck a beaded necklace, + And a cross upon thy bosom. + Plait for me thy beauteous tresses, + Bind thy hair with silken ribands." 20 + + But the young maid gave him answer, + "Not for thee, and not for others, + Rests the cross upon my bosom, + And my hair is bound with ribands. + Nought I care for sea-borne raiment; + Wheaten bread I do not value. + I will walk in home-spun garments, + And with crusts will still my hunger, + In my dearest father's dwelling, + And beside my much-loved mother." 30 + + From her breast she took the crosslet, + Drew the rings from off her fingers, + From her neck the beaded necklace, + From her head the scarlet ribands. + Down upon the ground she threw them, + Scattered them among the bushes; + Then she hastened, ever weeping, + Loud lamenting, to the homestead. + + At the window sat her father, + While he carved a hatchet-handle. 40 + "Wherefore weepest thou, my daughter, + Young, and yet so full of sadness?" + + "Cause enough have I for weeping, + Cause for weeping and lamenting. + Therefore weep I, dearest father, + Weep, and feel so full of sorrow. + From my breast I lost the crosslet, + From my belt I dropped the buckle, + From my breast my silver crosslet, + From my waist the copper girdle." 50 + + At the gate, her brother sitting, + For the sledge was shaping runners. + "Wherefore weepest thou, my sister, + Young, and yet so full of sorrow?" + + "Cause enough have I for weeping, + Cause for weeping and lamenting. + Therefore do I weep, poor brother, + Weep, and feel so full of sorrow. + Rings I lost from off my fingers, + From my neck my beaded necklace, 60 + And my finger-rings were golden, + And my necklace-beads were silver." + + At the window sat her sister, + As she wove a golden girdle + "Wherefore weepest thou, poor sister, + Young, and yet so full of sorrow?" + + "Cause enough have I for weeping, + Cause for weeping and lamenting. + Therefore do I weep, poor sister, + Weep and feel so full of sorrow. 70 + From my brow the gold has fallen, + From my hair I lost the silver, + Tore the blue bands from my temples, + From my head the scarlet braiding." + + On the threshold of the storehouse, + Skimming milk, she found her mother. + "Wherefore weepest thou, my daughter, + Young, and yet so full of sorrow?" + + "O my mother, who hast borne me, + O my mother, who hast nursed me, 80 + Cause enough have I for anguish, + Cause enough for bitter sorrow. + Therefore do I weep, poor mother, + Therefore grieve I, O my mother, + To the wood I went for besoms, + Gathered bath-whisks from the bushes; + One I gathered for my father, + One I gathered for my mother, + And I gathered yet another, + For my young and ruddy brother. 90 + As I turned my footsteps homeward, + And across the heath was tripping, + From the dell there called Osmoinen, + From the field cried Kalevainen, + + "Do not wear, fair maid, for others, + But for me alone, poor maiden, + Round thy neck a beaded necklace, + And a cross upon thy bosom. + Plait for me thy beauteous tresses, + Braid thy hair with silken ribands." 100 + + "From my breast I took the crosslet, + From my neck the beaded necklace, + Tore the blue bands from my temples, + From my head the scarlet ribands, + Then upon the ground I threw them, + Scattered them among the bushes, + And I answered him in this wise: + 'Not for thee, and not for others, + Rests my cross upon my bosom, + And my hair is bound with ribands. 110 + Nought I care for sea-borne raiment, + Wheaten bread I do not value. + I will walk in home-spun garments, + And with crusts will still my hunger, + In my dearest father's dwelling, + And beside my much-loved mother.'" + + And her mother answered thus wise, + Said the old crone to the maiden, + "Do not weep, my dearest daughter, + Do not grieve (and thou so youthful); 120 + Eat a whole year long fresh butter, + That your form may grow more rounded, + Eat thou pork the second season, + That your form may grow more charming, + And the third year eat thou cream-cakes, + That you may become more lovely. + Seek the storehouse on the mountain, + There the finest chamber open. + There are coffers piled on coffers, + Chests in heaps on chests are loaded, 130 + Open then the finest coffer, + Raise the painted lid with clangour, + There you'll find six golden girdles, + Seven blue robes of finest texture, + Woven by the Moon's own daughter, + By the Sun's own daughter fashioned. + + "In the days when I was youthful, + In my youthful days of girlhood, + In the wood I sought for berries, + Gathered raspberries on the mountain, 140 + Heard the moonlight's daughter weaving, + And the sunlight's daughter spinning, + There beside the wooded island, + On the borders of the greenwood. + + "Thereupon I softly neared them, + And beside them took my station, + And began to ask them gently, + In the words that I repeat you: + 'Give you of your gold, O Kuutar, + And your silver give, Paivatar, 150 + To the maiden poorly dowered, + To the child who now implores you!' + + "Then her gold did Kuutar give me. + And her silver gave Paivatar. + With the gold I decked my temples, + And adorned my head with silver, + Homeward like a flower I hastened, + Joyful, to my father's dwelling. + + "These I wore one day, a second. + Then upon the third day after 160 + Took the gold from off my temples. + From my head removed the silver, + Took them to the mountain storehouse; + In the chest with care I laid them, + There until this day I left them, + And since then I have not seen them. + + "On thy brows bind silken ribands + On thy temples gold adornments, + Round thy neck a beaded necklace, + On thy breast a golden crosslet. 170 + Put thou on a shift of linen, + Of the finest flax that's woven, + Lay thou on a robe of woollen, + Bind it with a silken girdle, + Then the finest silken stockings, + And of shoes the very finest, + Then In plaits thy hair arranging, + Bind it up with silken ribands, + Slip the gold rings on thy fingers, + Deck thy wrists with golden bracelets. 180 + After this return thou homewards + From thy visit to the storehouse, + As the joy of all thy kindred, + And of all thy race the fairest, + Like a floweret by the wayside, + Like a raspberry on the mountain; + Far more lovely than aforetime, + Fairer than in former seasons." + + Thus the mother urged her counsel, + Thus she spoke unto her daughter, 190 + But the daughter did not heed her, + Heeded not her mother's counsel. + From the house she wandered weeping, + From the homestead went in sorrow, + And she said the words which follow, + And expressed herself in this wise: + 'What may be the joyous feelings, + And the thoughts of one rejoicing? + Such may be the joyous feelings, + And the thoughts of one rejoicing; 200 + Like the dancing of the water + On the waves when gently swelling. + What do mournful thoughts resemble? + What the long-tailed duck may ponder? + Such may mournful thoughts resemble, + Thus the long-tailed duck may ponder, + As 'neath frozen snow embedded, + Water deep in well imprisoned. + + "Often now my life is clouded. + Often is my childhood troubled, 210 + And my thoughts like withered herbage. + As I wander through the bushes, + Wandering on through grassy meadows, + Pushing through the tangled thickets, + And my thoughts are pitch for blackness + And my heart than soot not brighter. + + "Better fortune had befel me, + And it would have been more happy. + Had I not been born and nurtured, + And had never grown in stature, 220 + Till I saw these days of sorrow, + And this joyless time o'ertook me, + Had I died in six nights only, + Or upon the eighth had perished. + Much I should not then have needed, + But a shroud a span-long only, + And of earth a tiny corner. + Little then had wept my mother, + Fewer tears had shed my father, + And my brother not a tearlet." 230 + + Thus she wept a day, a second. + And again her mother asked her, + "Wherefore dost thou weep, poor maiden. + Wherefore thus lament and sorrow?" + + "Therefore weep I, hapless maiden, + Therefore do I weep for ever, + That yourself have pledged me, hapless. + And your daughter you have promised + Thus to be an old man's comfort, + As a solace to the old man, 240 + To support his feeble footsteps, + And to wait upon him always. + Better were it had you sent me + Deeply down beneath the billows, + There to be the powan's sister, + And companion of the fishes. + In the lake 'tis surely better + There beneath the waves to sojourn, + There to be the powan's sister. + And companion of the fishes, 250 + Than to be an old man's comfort. + To support his aged footsteps, + So that I can mend his stockings, + And may be a staff to prop him." + + Then she sought the mountain storehouse, + And the inner room she entered; + And the finest chest she opened, + Raised the painted lid with clangour, + And she found six golden girdles, + Seven blue robes of finest textures, 260 + And she robed her in the finest, + And completed her adornment. + Set the gold upon her temples, + On her hair the shining silver, + On her brow the sky-blue ribands, + On her head the bands of scarlet. + + Then she wandered from the storehouses, + And across the fields she wandered, + Past the marshes, and the heathlands, + Through the shady, gloomy forests. 270 + Thus she sang, as on she hastened, + Thus she spoke, as on she wandered: + "All my heart is filled with trouble; + On my head a stone is loaded. + But my trouble would not vex me, + And the weight would less oppress me, + If I perished, hapless maiden, + Ending thus my life of sorrow, + In the burden of my trouble, + In the sadness of my sorrow. 280 + + "Now my time perchance approaches, + From this weary world to hasten, + Time to seek the world of Mana, + Time to Tuonela to hasten, + For my father will not mourn me, + Nor my mother will lament me, + Nor my sister's cheeks be moistened, + Nor my brother's eyes be tearful, + If I sank beneath the waters, + Sinking where the fish are sporting, 290 + To the depths beneath the billows, + Down amid the oozy blackness." + + On she went, one day, a second, + And at length, upon the third day, + Came she to a lake's broad margin, + To the bank, o'ergrown with rushes. + And she reached it in the night-time, + And she halted in the darkness. + + In the evening wept the maiden, + Through the darksome night lamented, 300 + On the rocks that fringed the margin, + Where a bay spread wide before her. + At the earliest dawn of morning, + As she gazed from off a headland, + Just beyond she saw three maidens, + Bathing there amid the waters, + Aino made the fourth among then, + And the fifth a slender sapling. + + Then her shift she cast on willows, + And her dress upon the aspens, 310 + On the open ground her stockings, + Threw her shoes upon the boulders, + On the sand her beads she scattered, + And her rings upon the shingle. + + In the waves a rock was standing, + Brightly hued and golden shining; + And she swam and sought to reach it, + As a refuge in her trouble. + + When at length she stood upon it, + And would rest upon the summit, 320 + On the stone of many colours, + On the rock so smooth and shining, + In the waves it sank beneath her, + Sinking to the very bottom. + With the rock, the maiden Aino + Sank beneath the water's surface. + + There the dove for ever vanished, + Thus the luckless maiden perished, + She herself exclaimed in dying, + When she felt that she was sinking: 330 + "To the lake I went to bathe me, + And to swim upon its surface, + But, like tender dove, I vanished, + Like a bird by death o'ertaken. + Never may my dearest father, + Never while his life endureth, + Cast his net amid the waters, + In these waves, so wide extending. + + "To the shore I went to wash me, + To the lake I went to bathe me, 340 + But, like tender dove, I vanished, + Like a bird by death overtaken. + Never may my dearest mother, + Never while her life endureth, + Fetch the water for her baking, + From the wide bay near her dwelling. + + "To the shore I went to wash me, + To the lake I went to bathe me, + But, like tender dove, I vanished, + Like a bird by death o'ertaken. 350 + Never may my dearest brother, + Never while his life endureth, + Water here his prancing courser, + Here upon the broad lake's margin + + "To the shore I went to wash me, + To the lake I went to bathe me, + But, like tender dove, I vanished, + Like a bird by death overtaken. + Never may my dearest sister, + Never while her life endureth, 360 + Hither stay to wash her eyebrows, + On the bridge so near her dwelling. + In the lake the very water + Is as blood that leaves my veinlets; + Every fish that swims this water, + Is as flesh from off my body; + All the bushes on the margin + Are as ribs of me unhappy; + And the grass upon the margin + As my soiled and tangled tresses." 370 + + Thus the youthful maiden perished, + And the dove so lovely vanished. + + Who shall now the tidings carry. + And repeat the mournful story, + At the dwelling of the maiden, + At the homestead of the fair one? + + First the bear would take the tidings, + And repeat the mournful story; + But the bear conveyed no tidings, + For he strayed among the cattle. 380 + Who shall now the tidings carry, + And repeat the mournful story. + At the dwelling of the maiden. + At the homestead of the fair one? + + Then the wolf would take the message, + And repeat the mournful story; + But the wolf conveyed no tidings, + For among the sheep he wandered. + + Who shall now the tidings carry, + And repeat the mournful story, 390 + At the dwelling of the maiden, + At the homestead of the fair one? + + Then the fox would take the message, + And repeat the mournful story; + But the fox conveyed no tidings, + For among the geese he wandered. + + Who shall now the tidings carry, + And repeat the mournful story, + At the dwelling of the maiden, + At the homestead of the fair one? 400 + + 'Twas the hare who took the tidings, + And conveyed the mournful story; + For the hare replied discreetly, + "I will not forget the message." + + Then the hare sprang quickly onward, + Sped the Long-ear with his story, + On his crooked legs he hastened, + With his cross-like mouth he hurried, + To the dwelling of the maiden, + To the homestead of the fair one. 410 + + Thus he hastened to the bath-house + And he crouched upon the threshold. + Full of maidens is the bath-house, + In their hands the bath-whisks holding. + "Scamp, come here; and shall we boil you, + Or, O Broad-eye, shall we roast you, + Either for the master's supper, + Or perchance the mistress' breakfast, + For the luncheon of the daughter, + Or perchance the son to dine on?" 420 + + Thereupon the hare responded, + And the Round-eye answered boldly, + "Would that Lempo might come hither + For the cooking in the kettle! + I am come to give you tidings, + And to bring a message to you. + Vanished from you is the fair one, + Perished has the tin-adorned one. + Sunken with her silver buckle, + Drowning with her belt of copper, 430 + Diving in the muddy water, + To the depths below the billows, + There to be the powan's sister, + And companion of the fishes." + + Then her mother fell to weeping, + And her bitter tears flowed freely, + And she loud lamented, speaking + In her grief the words which follow: + "Never, O unhappy mothers, + Never while your life endureth, 440 + Never may you urge your daughters, + Or attempt to force your children + To a marriage that repels them, + Like myself, O wretched mother, + Urging vainly thus my daughter, + Thus my little dove I fostered." + + Thus the mother wept, lamenting, + And her bitter tears flowed freely + From her blue eyes in her sadness, + O'er her cheeks, so pale with sorrow. 450 + + After one tear flowed another, + And her bitter tears flowed freely + From her cheeks, so pale with sorrow, + To her breast, so sadly heaving. + + After one tear flowed another, + And her bitter tears flowed freely + From her breast, so sadly heaving, + On the borders of her garments. + + After one tear flowed another, + And her bitter tears flowed freely 460 + From the borders of her garments + Down upon her scarlet stockings. + + After one tear flowed another, + And her bitter tears flowed freely + Down from off her scarlet stockings + To her shoes, all gold-embroidered. + + After one tear flowed another, + And her bitter tears flowed freely + From her shoes, all gold-embroidered, + On the ground where she was standing. 470 + As they flowed, the ground they moistened. + And they swelled to streams of water. + + On the ground the streams were flowing, + And became the source of rivers; + Thence arose three mighty rivers + From the tears of bitter weeping, + Which were ever ceaseless flowing + From the weeping mother's eyelids. + + From each stream that thus was fashioned, + Rushed three waterfalls in fury, 480 + And amid each cataract's flowing. + Three great rocks arose together. + And on every rocky summit + There arose a golden mountain. + And on every mountain summit + Up there sprang three beauteous birch-trees, + In the crown of every birch-tree, + Golden cuckoos three were perching. + + All at once they called together, + And the first cried, "Sweetheart, sweetheart!" 490 + And the second, "Lover, lover!" + And the third cried, "Gladness, gladness!" + + He who cried out, "Sweetheart, sweetheart!" + Sang his song for three months running, + For the young and loveless maiden, + Resting now beneath the water. + + He who cried out, "Lover, lover!" + Sang his song for six months running, + Sang to the unhappy suitor, + Who must sorrow through his lifetime. 500 + + He who cried out, "Gladness, gladness!" + Sang his song for all a lifetime; + Sang to the unhappy mother, + Who must daily weep for ever. + + And the mother spoke as follows! + As she listened to the cuckoo: + "Never may a hapless mother + Listen to the cuckoo crying! + When I hear the cuckoo calling. + Heavy beats my heart within me. 510 + From my eyes the tears are falling + O'er my cheeks are waters rolling. + And the drops like peas are swelling. + Than the largest broad-beans larger. + By an ell my life is shortened, + By a span-length I am older, + And my strength has wholly failed me, + Since I heard the cuckoo calling," + + + + +RUNO V.--VaINaMoINEN'S FISHING + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen fishes for Joukahainen's sister in the lake, and draws her +into his boat in the form of a fish (1-72). He is about to cut her to +pieces when she slips from his hand into the lake, and tells him who she +is (73-133). Vainamoinen tries to persuade her to return to him, and +then fishes for her, but in vain (134-163). He returns home +disconsolate, and his dead mother advises him to woo the Maiden of Pohja +(164-241). + + Now the tidings were repeated, + And the news was widely rumoured, + How the youthful maid had perished, + And the fair one had departed. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Deeply sorrowed at the tidings; + Wept at evening, wept at morning, + Spent the livelong night in weeping, + For the fair one who had perished, + For the maiden who had slumbered, 10 + In the muddy lake downsunken + To the depths below the billows. + + Then he went, in sorrow sighing, + While his heart was filled with anguish, + To the blue lake's rocky margin, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Tell me, Untamo, thou sleeper, + Tell me all thy dreams, O idler, + Where to find the realm of Ahto, + Where dwell Vellamo's fair maidens?" 20 + + Sleeper Untamo made answer, + And his dreams he thus repeated: + "There has Ahto fixed his country, + There dwell Vellamo's fair maidens, + Near the cloud-encompassed headland, + Near the ever-misty island, + In the depths below the billows, + On the black ooze at the bottom. + + "There has Ahto fixed his country, + There dwell Vellamo's fair maidens, 30 + Living in a narrow chamber, + In a little room abiding, + With the walls of varied marble, + In the depths beside the headland." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Hastened to his little vessel, + And he scanned his fishing-tackle, + And his hooks with care inspected; + Put the tackle in his pocket, + And the barbed hooks in his wallet. 40 + Through the waves his boat he ferried, + Making for the jutting headland, + To the cape, with clouds encompassed, + And the ever-misty island. + + Then he set about his fishing, + And he watched his angle closely, + And he held his hand-net ready, + Dropped his angle in the water, + And he fished, and tried his fortune, + While the rod of copper trembled, 50 + And the thread of silver whistled, + And the golden line whirred loudly. + + And at length one day it happened, + Very early in the morning, + On his hook a fish was hanging, + And a salmon-trout was captured. + In the boat he drew it quickly, + And upon the planks he cast it. + + Then he scanned the fish, and turned it, + And he spoke the words which follow; 60 + "'Tis a fish, among the fishes, + For I never saw its equal, + Smoother is it than a powan, + Than a salmon-trout more yellow, + Greyer than a pike I deem it, + For a female fish too finless, + For a male 'tis far too scaleless; + Has no tresses, like a maiden, + Nor, like water-nymphs, 'tis belted; + Nor is earless like a pigeon; 70 + It resembles most a salmon, + Or a perch from deepest water." + + In his waistband Vainamoinen + Bore a case-knife, silver-hafted, + And he drew the knife of sharpness. + Drew the case-knife, silver-hafted, + And prepared to slit the salmon, + And to cut the fish to pieces, + Thought to eat it for his breakfast. + Or a snack to make his luncheon, 80 + To provide him with a dinner, + And a plenteous supper likewise. + + As he would have slit the salmon. + And would cut the fish to pieces, + Sprang the salmon in the water, + For the beauteous fish jumped sideways + From the planking of the red boat, + From the boat of Vainamoinen. + + Thereupon her head she lifted, + Raised her shoulders from the water, 90 + On the fifth wave's watery hillock, + From the sixth high wave emerging, + Then her hands in air uplifted, + And displayed her left foot also, + When the seventh wave roses upswelling, + And upon the ninth wave's summit. + + Thereupon the fish addressed him, + And it spoke, and thus protested: + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Surely I have not come hither, 100 + Like a salmon, to be slaughtered, + Or a fish, to cut to pieces, + Only to become your breakfast, + Or a snack to make your luncheon, + To provide you with a dinner. + And a plenteous supper likewise." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Wherefore didst thou then come hither?" + + "Therefore 'tis that I have sought thee, + In thine arm like dove to nestle, 110 + By thy side to sit for ever, + On thy knee, as consort sitting, + To prepare the couch to rest thee, + And to smooth thy pillow for thee, + Keep thy little room in order, + And to sweep the flooring for thee, + In thy room to light the fire, + And to fan the flames up brightly, + There large loaves of bread to bake thee, + Cakes of honey to prepare thee, 120 + And thy jug of beer to fill thee, + And thy dinner set before thee. + + "I am not a water-salmon, + Not a perch from deepest water, + But a young and lovely maiden, + Youthful Joukahainen's sister, + Whom thou all thy life hast longed for, + Whom thou hast so long desired. + + "O thou pitiful old creature, + Vainamoinen, void of wisdom, 130 + Thou hadst not the wit to hold me, + Vellamo's young water-maiden, + Me, the darling child of Ahto!" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + Head bowed down, and deeply grieving, + "Sister thou of Joukahainen, + Once again return, I pray thee." + + But she never more came near him, + Ne'er again throughout his lifetime; + For she turned away, and, diving, 140 + Vanished from the water's surface + Down among the rocks so varied, + In a liver-coloured crevice. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Pondered deeply, and reflected, + What to do, and what was needful + Quick he wove a net all silken, + And he drew it straight and crossways, + Through the reach, and then across it, + Drew it through the quiet waters, 150 + Through the depths beloved by salmons + And through Vainola's deep waters. + And by Kalevala's sharp headlands, + Through the deep, dark watery caverns, + And the wide expanse of water, + And through Joukola's great rivers, + And across the bays of Lapland. + + Other fish he caught in plenty, + All the fishes of the waters, + Only not the fish he sought for, 160 + Which he kept in mind for ever, + Never Vellamo's fair maiden, + Not the dearest child of Ahto. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Bowed his head, lamenting deeply, + With his cap adjusted sideways, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O how grievous is my folly, + Weak am I in manly wisdom, + Once indeed was understanding, 170 + Insight too conferred upon me, + And my heart was great within me; + Such in former times my portion. + But in days that now are passing. + In the evil days upon me, + Now my strength with age is failing, + All my understanding weakens + And my insight has departed, + All my judgment is perverted. + + "She for whom long years I waited, 180 + Whom for half my life I longed for, + Vellamo's fair water-maiden, + Youngest daughter of the surges. + Who should be my friend for ever, + And my wife throughout my lifetime, + Came and seized the bait I offered, + In my boat sprang unresisting, + But I knew not how to hold her, + To my home I could not take her, + But she plunged amid the waters, 190 + Diving to the depths profoundest." + + Then he wandered on a little, + And he walked, in sadness sighing, + To his home direct returning, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Once indeed the birds were singing, + And my joyous cuckoo hailed me, + Both at morning and at evening, + Likewise, too, in midday hours. + What has stilled their lively music, 200 + And has hushed their charming voices? + Care has stilled their lively music, + Sorrow checked their cheerful voices, + Therefore do they sing no longer, + Neither at the sun's declining, + To rejoice me in the evening, + Nor to cheer me in the morning. + + "Now no more can I consider + How to shape my course of action, + How upon the earth to sojourn, 210 + How throughout the world to travel. + Would my mother now were living, + And my aged mother waking! + She would surely tell me truly + How to best support my trouble, + That my grief may not o'erwhelm me, + And my sorrow may not crush me, + In these weary days of evil, + In this time of deep depression." + + In her grave his mother wakened, 220 + Answered from beneath the billows: + "Still thy mother lives and hears thee, + And thy aged mother wakens, + That she plainly may advise thee. + How to best support thy trouble. + That thy grief may not o'erwhelm thee, + And thy sorrow may not crush thee, + In these weary days of evil, + In these days of deep depression. + Seek thou out the maids of Pohja, 230 + Where the daughters are more handsome, + And the maidens twice as lovely, + And are five or six times nimbler, + Not like lazy girls of Jouko, + Lapland's fat and sluggish daughters. + + "Thence a wife, O son, provide thee, + From the fairest maids of Pohja; + Choose a maid of fair complexion, + Lovely, too, in every feature, + One whose feet are always nimble, 240 + Always active in her movements." + + + + +RUNO VI.--JOUKAHAINEN'S CROSSBOW + + +_Argument_ + +Joukahainen cherishes hatred against Vainamoinen and lies in wait for +him on his journey to Pohjola (1-78). He sees him riding past and shoots +at him, but only kills his horse (79-182). Vainamoinen falls into the +water and is driven out to sea by a tempest, while Joukahainen rejoices, +because he thinks he has at last overcome Vainamoinen (183-234). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Now resolved upon a journey + To the cold and dreary regions + Of the gloomy land of Pohja. + + Then he took his straw-hued stallion + Like a pea-stalk in his colour, + And the golden bit adjusted, + Bridle on his head of silver, + On his back himself he seated, + And he started on his journey, 10 + And he trotted gently onward, + At an easy pace he journeyed, + Mounted on the straw-hued courser, + Like a pea-stalk in his colour. + + Thus through Vainola he journeyed, + Over Kalevala's wide heathlands, + And the horse made rapid progress, + Home behind, and journey shortened, + Then across the sea he journeyed, + O'er the far-extending billows, 20 + With the horse's hoofs unwetted, + And his feet unsunk in water. + + But the youthful Joukahainen, + He, the puny son of Lapland, + Long had cherished his resentment, + And had long indeed been envious + Of the aged Vainamoinen, + Of the ever-famous minstrel + + Then he wrought a mighty crossbow. + And a splendid bow he fashioned, 30 + And he formed the bow of iron, + Overlaid the back with copper. + And with gold inlaid it also, + And with silver he adorned it. + + Where did he obtain the bowstring? + Whence a cord to match the weapon? + Sinews from the elk of Hiisi, + And the hempen cord of Lempo. + Thus at length the bow was finished. + And the stock was quite completed, 40 + And the bow was fair to gaze on, + And its value matched its beauty. + At its back a horse was standing, + On the stock a foal was running, + On the curve a sleeping woman, + At the catch a hare was couching. + + Shafts of wood he likewise fashioned. + Every arrow triply feathered, + And the shafts were formed of oakwood, + And he made the heads of pinewood; 50 + Thus the arrows were completed, + And he fixed the feathers on them, + From the swallows' plumage taken. + Likewise from the tails of sparrows. + + After this, the points he sharpened. + And the arrow-points he poisoned. + In the black blood of the serpent, + In the blood of hissing adders. + Thus he made his arrows ready, + And his bow was fit for bending, 60 + + And he watched for Vainamoinen, + Waited for Suvantolainen, + Watched at morning, watched at evenings + Waited also through the noontide. + + Long he watched for Vainamoinen, + Waited long, and wearied never, + Sitting gazing from the window, + Or upon the stairs he waited, + Sometimes lurking by the pathway, + Sometimes watching in the meadow, 70 + On his back his well-filled quiver, + 'Neath his arm his crossbow ready. + + Then he waited further onwards. + Lurking near another building, + On the cape that juts out sharply, + Where the tongue of land curves outward. + Near a waterfall, all foaming. + Past the banks of sacred rivers. + + And at length one day it happened. + Very early in the morning, 80 + As he turned his eyes to westward, + And he turned his head to eastward + Something dark he spied on ocean. + Something blue upon the billows. + "Is a cloud in east arising, + Or the dawn of day appearing?" + + In the east no cloud was rising, + Nor the dawn of day appearing. + 'Twas the aged Vainamoinen, + 'Twas the ever-famous minstrel, 90 + Who to Pohjola was hasting, + As to Pimentola he journeyed, + Mounted on his straw-hued courser. + Like a pea-stalk in his colour. + + Then the youthful Joukahainen, + He, the meagre son of Lapland, + Spanned in haste his mighty crossbow. + And he aimed the splendid weapon + At the head of Vainamoinen, + Thus to kill Suvantolainen. 100 + + Then his mother came and asked him, + And the aged one inquired, + "Wherefore do you span your weapon, + Bending thus the iron crossbow?" + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow. + "Therefore do I span the weapon. + Bending thus the iron crossbow. + For the head of Vainamoinen, + Thus to kill Suvantolainen, 110 + I will shoot old Vainamoinen, + Strike the ever-famous minstrel, + Through the heart, and through the liver, + 'Twixt the shoulders I will shoot him." + + But his mother straight forbade him, + And dissuaded him from shooting. + "Do not shoot at Vainamoinen, + Do not Kalevalainen slaughter. + Of a noble race is Vaino; + He's my sister's son, my nephew. 120 + + "If you shoot at Vainamoinen, + And should Kalevalainen slaughter. + Gladness from the world will vanish, + And from earth will song be banished. + In the world is gladness better. + And on earth is song more cheerful, + Than to Manala if banished. + And to Tuonela's darkest regions." + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Paused a moment and reflected, 130 + And he pondered for an instant, + Though his hands to shoot were ready, + One would shoot, and one restrained him, + But his sinewy fingers forced him. + + And at length these words he uttered, + And expressed his own decision: + "What if twice from earth in future + Every gladness should be banished? + Let all songs for ever vanish; + I will shoot my arrows, heedless!" 140 + + Then he spanned the mighty crossbow. + And he drew the bow of copper, + And against his left knee bent it, + Steady with his foot he held it, + Took an arrow from his quiver, + Chose a triple-feathered arrow, + Took the strongest of his arrows, + Chose the very best among them, + Then upon the groove he laid it, + On the hempen cord he fixed it, 150 + Then his mighty bow he lifted, + And he placed it to his shoulder, + Ready now to shoot the arrow, + And to shoot at Vainamoinen. + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Do thou strike, O birchwood arrow, + Strike thou in the back, O pinewood. + Twang thy best, O hempen bowstring! + If my hand is leaning downward, + Let the arrow then strike higher, 160 + If my hand is bending upward, + Let the arrow then strike downward!" + + Quickly then he drew the trigger, + Shot the first among his arrows. + Far too high the shaft flew upward. + High above his head to skyward, + And it whizzed among the cloudlets, + Through the scattered clouds it wandered. + + Thus he shot, in reckless fashion, + Shot the second of his arrows. 170 + Far too low the shot flew downwards. + Deep in Mother Earth 'twas sunken. + Earth was almost sunk to Mana, + And the hills of sand were cloven. + + Then he shot again, a third time, + And the third shaft, straighter flying, + In the blue elk's spleen was buried, + Under aged Vainamoinen, + Thus he shot the straw-hued courser, + Like a pea-stalk in his colour; 180 + Through the flesh beneath his shoulder, + In the left side deep he pierced him. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Plunged his fingers in the water, + With his hands the waves he parted, + Grasping at the foaming billows, + From the blue elk's back he tumbled + From the steed of pea-stalk colour. + + Then a mighty wind arising + Raised upon the sea a billow, 190 + And it bore old Vainamoinen, + Swimming from the mainland further, + O'er the wide expanse of water, + Out into the open ocean. + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Uttered words of boastful triumph: + "Now thou ancient Vainamoinen, + Never while thy life endureth, + In the course of all thy lifetime, + While the golden moon is shining, 200 + Walk in Vainola's fair meadows. + Or on Kalevala's broad heathlands! + + "May you toss for six years running, + Seven long summers ever drifting, + Tossed about for over eight years, + On the wide expanse of water, + On the surface of the billows, + Drift for six years like a pine-tree, + And for seven years like a fir-tree, + And for eight years like a tree-stump!" 210 + + Then the house again he entered, + And at once his mother asked him, + "Have you shot at Vainamoinen? + Slaughtered Kaleva's famous offspring?" + + Then the youthful Joukahainen + Answered in the words which follow + "I have shot at Vainamoinen, + And have o'erthrown Kalevalainen, + Sent him swimming in the water, + Swept him out upon the billows, 220 + On the restless waves of ocean + Where the waves are wildly tossing, + And the old man plunged his fingers + And his palms amid the waters, + Then upon his side he tumbled, + And upon his back he turned him, + Drifting o'er the waves of ocean, + Out upon the foaming billows." + + But his mother made him answer, + "Very evil hast thou acted, 230 + Thus to shoot at Vainamoinen + And to o'erthrow Kalevalainen. + Of Suvantola the hero, + Kalevala's most famous hero." + + + + +RUNO VII.--VaINaMoINEN AND LOUHI + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen swims for several days on the open sea (1-88). The eagle, +grateful to him for having spared the birch-tree for him to rest on, +when he was felling the trees takes Vainamoinen on his wings, and +carries him to the borders of Pohjola, where the Mistress of Pohjola +takes him to her abode, and receives him hospitably (89-274). +Vainamoinen desires to return to his own country, and the Mistress of +Pohjola permits him to depart, and promises him her daughter in marriage +if he will forge the Sampo in Pohjola (275-322). Vainamoinen promises +that when he returns home he will send the smith Ilmarinen to forge the +Sampo, and the Mistress of Pohjola gives him a horse and a sledge to +convey him home (323-368). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Swam upon the open ocean, + Drifting like a fallen pine-tree, + Like a rotten branch of fir-tree, + During six days of the summer, + And for six nights in succession, + While the sea spread wide before him, + And the sky was clear above him. + + Thus he swam for two nights longer, + And for two days long and dreary. 10 + When the ninth night darkened round him, + And the eighth day had passed over, + Sudden anguish came upon him, + And his pain grew ever greater. + From his toes his nails were dropping, + And the joints from off his fingers. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Spoke in words like those which follow: + "Woe to me, unhappy creature, + Overburdened with misfortune! 20 + I have wandered from my country, + And my ancient home abandoned. + 'Neath the open sky for ever, + Driven along in sun and moonlight, + Rocked about by winds for ever, + Tossed about by every billow, + On the wide expanse of water, + Out upon the open ocean, + Here I live a cold existence, + And 'tis painful thus to wallow, 30 + Always tossing on the billows, + On the surface of the waters. + + "Now, alas, I know no longer + How to lead this life of sadness + In this everlasting trouble, + In an age when all is fleeting. + Shall I rear in wind a dwelling, + Build a house upon the waters? + + "If I rear in wind a dwelling, + Then the wind would not sustain it; 40 + If I build a house on water, + Then the waves will drift it from me." + + Came a bird from Lapland flying, + From the north-east came an eagle, + Not the largest of the eagles, + Nor was he among the smallest, + With one wing he swept the water, + To the sky was swung the other; + On the sea his tail he rested, + On the cliffs his beak he rattled. 50 + + Slowly back and forwards flying, + Turning all around, and gazing, + Soon he saw old Vainamoinen + On the blue waves of the ocean. + "What has brought you here, O hero, + Wandering through the waves of ocean?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "This has brought the man to ocean, + Plunged the hero in the sea-waves. 60 + I would seek the maid of Pohja, + Woo the maiden of Pimentola. + + "On my journey swift I hasted, + On the ocean's watery surface, + Till about the time of daybreak, + Came I, after many mornings, + Where is Luotola's deep embayment, + Hard by Joukola's rapid river, + When my horse was shot beneath me, + By an arrow launched against me. 70 + + "Thus I fell into the water, + In the waves I plunged my fingers, + And the wind impels me onward, + And the billows drift me forward. + + "Then there came a gale from north-west, + From the east a mighty tempest, + Far away the tempest drove me, + Swimming from the land still further, + Many days have I been floating, + Many days have I been swimming, 80 + On this wide expanse of water, + Out upon the open ocean. + And I cannot now conjecture, + Cannot guess, nor e'en imagine, + How I finally shall perish, + And what death shall overtake me + Whether I shall die of hunger, + Or shall sink beneath the waters." + + Said the bird of air, the eagle, + "Let thy heart be free from trouble; 90 + Climb upon my back, and seat thee, + Standing up upon my wing-tips, + From the sea will I transport thee, + Wheresoever thou may'st fancy. + For the day I well remember, + And recall a happier season, + When fell Kaleva's green forest, + Cleared was Osmola's famed island, + But thou didst protect the birch-tree, + And the beauteous tree left'st standing, 100 + That the birds might rest upon it, + And that I myself might sit there." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Raised his head from out the water, + From the sea the man sprang upward, + From the waves the hero mounted. + On the eagle's wings he sat him, + On the wing-tips of the eagle. + + Then the bird of air, the eagle, + Raised the aged Vainamoinen, 110 + Through the path of wind he bore him, + And along the east-wind's pathway, + To the utmost bounds of Pohja, + Onwards to the misty Sariola, + There abandoned Vainamoinen, + Soared into the air, and left him. + + There stood Vainamoinen weeping, + There stood weeping and lamenting, + On the borders of the ocean, + On a land whose name he knew not, 120 + With a hundred wounds upon him, + By a thousand winds belaboured, + And his beard was much disordered, + And his hair was all entangled. + + Thus he wept for two, and three nights, + For as many days stood weeping, + For the country round he knew not, + And no path could he discover, + Which perchance might lead him homeward, + Back to a familiar country, 130 + To his own, his native country, + Where he passed his days aforetime. + + But the little maid of Pohja, + Fair-haired damsel of the household, + With the sun had made agreement, + And both sun and moon had promised, + They would always rise together, + And they would awake together. + She herself arose before them, + Ere the sun or moon had risen, 140 + Long before the time of cockcrow, + Or the chirping of a chicken. + + From five sheep she shore the fleeces, + Clipped the wool from off six lambkins, + In her loom she wove the fleeces, + And the whole with care she carded, + Long before the dawn of morning, + Long before the sun had risen. + + After this she washed the tables, + Swept the wide-extended flooring, 150 + With the broom of twigs all leafless, + Then with broom of leafy branches. + Then the sweepings she collected + In the dustpan made of copper; + Out of doors she took the rubbish, + To the field beyond the farmyard, + To the field's extremest limit, + Where the lowest fence has opening. + There she stood upon the sweepings, + And she turned around, and listened. 160 + From the lake she heard a weeping, + Sounds of woe across the river. + + Quickly then she hastened homeward, + And she hurried to the parlour. + As she came, she told her tidings, + In such words as those which follow: + "From the lake I hear a weeping, + Sounds of woe across the river." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Old and gap-toothed dame of Pohja, 170 + Hastened forth into the farmyard, + Hurried to the fence's opening, + Where she bent her ear to listen, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "This is not like childhood's weeping + Nor like women's lamentation, + But a bearded hero weeping; + Thus weep men whose chins are bearded." + + Three planks high, the boat was builded, + Which she pushed into the water, 180 + And herself began to row it, + And she rowed, and hastened onward + To the spot where Vainamoinen, + Where the hero was lamenting. + + There was Vainamoinen weeping, + There Uvanto's swain lamented, + By the dreary clumps of willow, + By the tangled hedge of cherry. + Moved his mouth, his beard was shaking, + But his lips he did not open. 190 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Speak unto, and thus addressed him: + "O thou aged man unhappy, + Thou art in a foreign country!" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Lifted up his head and answered + In the very words that follow: + "True it is, and well I know it, + I am in a foreign country, + Absolutely unfamiliar. 200 + I was better in my country, + Greater in the home I came from." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: + "In the first place you must tell me, + If I may make bold to ask you, + From what race you take your lineage, + And from what heroic nation?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: 210 + "Well my name was known aforetime, + And in former days was famous, + Ever cheerful in the evening, + Ever singing in the valleys, + There in Vainola's sweet meadows, + And on Kalevala's broad heathlands; + But my grief is now so heavy + That I know myself no longer." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: 220 + "Rise, O man, from out the marshes, + Hero, seek another pathway. + Tell me now of thy misfortunes, + And relate me thy adventure." + + Thus she made him cease his weeping, + Made the hero cease lamenting; + And into her boat she took him, + Bade him at the stern be seated, + And herself resumed the oars, + And she then began to row him 230 + Unto Pohjola, o'er water, + And she brought him to her dwelling. + Then she fed the famished stranger, + And she dried his dripping garments, + Then she rubbed his limbs all stiffened, + And she warmed him and shampooed him, + Till she had restored his vigour, + And the hero had recovered. + After this, she spoke and asked him, + In the very words which follow: 240 + "Why did'st weep, O Vainamoinen, + Why lament, Uvantolainen, + In that miserable region, + On the borders of the lakelet?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Cause enough have I for weeping, + Reason, too, for lamentation, + In the sea I long was swimming, + Tossed about upon the billows, 250 + On the wide expanse of water, + Out upon the open ocean. + + "I must weep throughout my lifespan, + And lament throughout my lifetime, + That I swam beyond my country, + Left the country so familiar, + And have come to doors I know not, + And to hedge-gates that I know not, + All the trees around me pain me, + All the pine-twigs seem to pierce me, 260 + Every birch-tree seems to flog me, + Every alder seems to wound me, + But the wind is friendly to me, + And the sun still shines upon me, + In this unaccustomed country, + And within the doors I know not." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Do not weep, O Vainamoinen, + Nor lament, Uvantolainen. 270 + Here 'tis good for thee to sojourn, + And to pass thy days in comfort. + Salmon you can eat at table, + And beside it pork is standing." + + But the aged Vainamoinen + Answered in the words which follow: + "Foreign food I do not relish, + In the best of strangers' houses. + In his land a man is better, + In his home a man is greater. 280 + Grant me, Jumala most gracious, + O compassionate Creator, + Once again to reach my country, + And the land I used to dwell in! + Better is a man's own country, + Water from beneath the sabot, + Than in unfamiliar countries, + Mead to drink from golden goblets." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: 290 + "What are you prepared to give me, + If I send you to your country, + To the borders of your cornfields, + Or the bath-house of your dwelling?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Tell me then what I shall give you, + If you send me to my country, + To the borders of my cornfields, + There to hear my cuckoo calling, + And my birds so sweetly singing. 300 + Will you choose a gold-filled helmet. + Or a hat filled up with silver?" + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: + "O thou wisest Vainamoinen, + Thou the oldest of the sages, + Golden gifts I do not ask for, + And I wish not for thy silver. + Gold is but a toy for children, + Silver bells adorn the horses, 310 + But if you can forge a Sampo, + Weld its many-coloured cover, + From the tips of swan's white wing-plumes, + From the milk of barren heifer, + From a single grain of barley, + From a single fleece of ewe's wool, + Then will I my daughter give you, + Give the maiden as your guerdon, + And will bring you to your country, + There to hear the birds all singing, 320 + There to hear your cuckoo calling, + On the borders of your cornfields." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "No, I cannot forge a Sampo, + Nor can weld its pictured cover. + Only bring me to my country, + And I'll send you Ilmarinen, + Who shall forge a Sampo for you, + Weld its many-coloured cover. 330 + He perchance may please the maiden, + Win your daughter's young affections. + + "He's a smith without an equal, + None can wield the hammer like him, + For 'twas he who forged the heaven, + And who wrought the air's foundations, + Yet we find no trace of hammer, + Nor the trace of tongs discover." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: 340 + "I will only yield my daughter, + And my child I promise only + To the man who welds a Sampo + With its many-coloured cover, + From the tips of swan's white wing-plumes, + From the milk of barren heifer, + From a single grain of barley, + From a single fleece of ewe's wool." + + Thereupon the colt she harnessed, + In the front she yoked the bay one, 350 + And she placed old Vainamoinen + In the sledge behind the stallion. + And she spoke and thus addressed him, + In the very words which follow: + "Do not raise your head up higher, + Turn it not to gaze about you, + That the steed may not be wearied, + Till the evening shall have gathered. + If you dare to raise your head up, + Or to turn to gaze around you, 360 + Then misfortune will o'ertake you, + And an evil day betide you." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Whipped the horse, and urged him onward, + And the white-maned courser hastened + Noisily upon the journey, + Forth from Pohjola's dark regions, + Sariola for ever misty. + + + + +RUNO VIII.--VaINaMoINEN'S WOUND + + +_Argument_ + +On his journey Vainamoinen encounters the magnificently-clad Maiden of +Pohja, and makes advances to her (1-50). The maiden at length consents +to his wishes if he will make a boat from the splinters of her spindle, +and move it into the water without touching it (51-132). Vainamoinen +sets to work, but wounds his knee severely with his axe, and cannot +stanch the flow of blood (133-204). He goes in search of some magic +remedy and finds an old man who promises to stop the bleeding (205-282). + + Lovely was the maid of Pohja, + Famed on land, on water peerless, + On the arch of air high-seated, + Brightly shining on the rainbow, + Clad in robes of dazzling lustre, + Clad in raiment white and shining. + There she wove a golden fabric, + Interwoven all with silver, + And her shuttle was all golden, + And her comb was all of silver. 10 + + From her hand flew swift the shuttle, + In her hands the reel was turning, + And the copper shafts they clattered, + And the silver comb resounded, + As the maiden wove the fabric, + And with silver interwove it. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Thundered on upon his journey, + From the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola for ever misty. 20 + Short the distance he had travelled, + Short the way that he had journeyed, + When he heard the shuttle whizzing, + High above his head he heard it. + + Thereupon his head he lifted, + And he gazed aloft to heaven, + And beheld a glorious rainbow; + On the arch the maiden seated + As she wove a golden fabric. + As the silver comb resounded. 30 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Stayed his horse upon the instant. + And he raised his voice, and speaking, + In such words as these addressed her: + "Come into my sledge, O maiden, + In the sledge beside me seat thee." + + Then the maiden made him answer, + And in words like these responded: + "Wherefore should the maiden join you, + In the sledge beside you seated?" 40 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast. + Heard her words, and then responded: + "Therefore should the maiden join me, + In the sledge beside me seat her; + Bread of honey to prepare me, + And the best of beer to brew me, + Singing blithely on the benches, + Gaily talking at the window, + When in Vainola I sojourn, + At my home in Kalevala." 50 + + Then the maiden gave him answer, + And in words like these addressed him: + "As I wandered through the bedstraws + Tripping o'er the yellow meadows, + Yesterday, in time of evening, + As the sun was slowly sinking, + In the bush a bird was singing, + And I heard the fieldfare trilling, + Singing of the whims of maidens, + And the whims of new-wed damsels. 60 + + "Thus the bird was speaking to me, + And I questioned it in this wise: + + 'Tell me O thou little fieldfare, + Sing thou, that my ears may hear it, + Whether it indeed is better, + Whether thou hast heard 'tis better, + For a girl in father's dwelling, + Or in household of a husband?' + + "Thereupon the bird made answer, + And the fieldfare answered chirping: 70 + + 'Brilliant is the day in summer, + But a maiden's lot is brighter. + And the frost makes cold the iron, + Yet the new bride's lot is colder. + In her father's house a maiden + Lives like strawberry in the garden, + But a bride in house of husband, + Lives like house-dog tightly fettered. + To a slave comes rarely pleasure; + To a wedded damsel never.'" 80 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Song of birds is idle chatter, + And the throstle's, merely chirping; + As a child a daughter's treated, + But a maid must needs be married. + Come into my sledge, O maiden, + In the sledge beside me seat thee. + I am not a man unworthy, + Lazier not than other heroes." 90 + + But the maid gave crafty answer, + And in words like these responded: + "As a man I will esteem you, + And as hero will regard you, + If you can split up a horsehair + With a blunt and pointless knife-blade, + And an egg in knots you tie me, + Yet no knot is seen upon it." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Then the hair in twain divided, 100 + With a blunt and pointless knife-blade, + With a knife completely pointless, + And an egg in knots he twisted, + Yet no knot was seen upon it. + Then again he asked the maiden + In the sledge to sit beside him. + But the maid gave crafty answer, + "I perchance at length may join you, + If you'll peel the stone I give you, + And a pile of ice will hew me, 110 + But no splinter scatter from it, + Nor the smallest fragment loosen." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Did not find the task a hard one. + From the stone the rind he severed, + And a pile of ice he hewed her, + But no splinters scattered from it, + Nor the smallest fragment loosened. + Then again he asked the maiden + In the sledge to sit beside him. 120 + + But the maid gave crafty answer, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "No, I will not yet go with you, + If a boat you cannot carve me, + From the splinters of my spindle, + From the fragments of my shuttle, + And shall launch the boat in water, + Push it out upon the billows, + But no knee shall press against it, + And no hand must even touch it; 130 + And no arm shall urge it onward, + Neither shall a shoulder guide it." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "None in any land or country, + Under all the vault of heaven, + Like myself can build a vessel, + Or so deftly can construct it." + Then he took the spindle-splinters, + Of the reel he took the fragments, 140 + And began the boat to fashion, + Fixed a hundred planks together, + On a mount of steel he built it, + Built it on the rocks of iron. + + At the boat with zeal he laboured, + Toiling at the work unresting, + Working thus one day, a second, + On the third day likewise working, + But the rocks his axe-blade touched not, + And upon the hill it rang not. 150 + + But at length, upon the third day, + Hiisi turned aside the axe-shaft, + Lempo turned the edge against him, + And an evil stroke delivered. + On the rocks the axe-blade glinted, + On the hill the blade rang loudly, + From the rock the axe rebounded, + In the flesh the steel was buried, + In the victim's knee 'twas buried, + In the toes of Vainamoinen, 160 + In the flesh did Lempo drive it, + To the veins did Hiisi guide it, + From the wound the blood flowed freely, + Bursting forth in streaming torrents. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + He, the oldest of magicians, + Uttered words like those which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "O thou evil axe ferocious, + With thy edge of gleaming sharpness, 170 + Thou hast thought to hew a tree-trunk, + And to strike upon a pine-tree, + Match thyself against a fir-tree, + Or to fall upon a birch-tree. + 'Tis my flesh that thou hast wounded, + And my veins thou hast divided." + + Then his magic spells he uttered, + And himself began to speak them, + Spells of origin, for healing, + And to close the wound completely. 180 + But he could not think of any + Words of origin of iron, + Which might serve to bind the evil, + And to close the gaping edges + Of the great wound from the iron, + By the blue edge deeply bitten. + But the blood gushed forth in torrents, + Rushing like a foaming river, + O'er the berry-bearing bushes, + And the heath the ground that covered. 190 + There remained no single hillock, + Which was not completely flooded + By the overflowing bloodstream, + Which came rushing forth in torrents + From the knee of one most worthy, + From the toes of Vainamoinen. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Gathered from the rocks the lichen, + From the swamps the moss collected, + Earth he gathered from the hillocks, 200 + Hoping thus to stop the outlet + Of the wound that bled so freely, + But he could not check the bleeding, + Nor restrain it in the slightest. + And the pain he felt oppressed him, + And the greatest trouble seized him. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Then began to weep full sorely. + Thereupon his horse he harnessed, + In the sledge he yoked the chestnut, 210 + On the sledge himself he mounted, + And upon the seat he sat him. + O'er the horse his whip he brandished, + With the bead-decked whip he lashed him. + And the horse sped quickly onward. + Rocked the sledge, the way grew shorter, + And they quickly reached a village, + Where the path in three divided. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Drove along the lowest pathway, 220 + To the lowest of the homesteads, + And he asked upon the threshold, + "Is there no one in this household, + Who can cure the wounds of iron. + Who can soothe the hero's anguish, + And can heal the wound that pains him?" + + On the floor a child was playing, + By the stove a boy was sitting, + And he answered him in this wise: + "There is no one in this household 230 + Who can heal the wounds of iron, + Who can soothe the hero's anguish, + To the rock can fix it firmly, + And can heal the wound that pains him. + Such may dwell in other houses: + Drive away to other houses." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + O'er the horse his whip then brandished, + And the sledge went rattling onward. + Thus a little way he travelled, 240 + On the midmost of the pathways, + To the midmost of the houses, + And he asked upon the threshold, + And beseeching at the window, + "Is there no one in this household, + Who can heal the wounds of iron, + Who can stanch the blood when flowing, + And can check the rushing bloodstream?" + + 'Neath the quilt a crone was resting, + By the stove there sat a gossip, 250 + And she spoke and answered plainly, + As her three teeth gnashed together, + "There is no one in this household, + Who can heal the wounds of iron, + None who knows efficient blood-spells, + And can close the wound that pains you. + Such may dwell in other houses: + Drive away to other houses." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + O'er the horse his whip then brandished, 260 + And the sledge went rattling onward. + Thus a little way he travelled, + On the highest of the pathways, + To the highest of the houses, + And he asked upon the threshold, + Calling from beside the doorpost, + "Is there any in this household, + Who can heal the wounds of iron, + Who can check this rushing bloodstream, + And can stay the dark red torrent?" 270 + + By the stove an old man rested, + On the stove-bed lay a greybeard, + From the stove the old man mumbled, + And the greybeard cried in answer, + "Stemmed before were greater torrents, + Greater floods than this were hindered, + By three words of the Creator, + By the mighty words primeval. + Brooks and streams were checked from flowing; + Mighty streams in cataracts falling, 280 + Bays were formed in rocky headlands, + Tongues of land were linked together." + + + + +RUNO IX.--THE ORIGIN OF IRON + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen repeats to the old man the legend of the origin of iron +(1-266). The old man reviles the iron and repeats spells for the +stopping of blood, and the flow of blood is stayed (267-416). The old +man directs his son to prepare a salve, and dresses and binds up the +wound. Vainamoinen is cured, and thanks Jumala for his merciful +assistance (417-586). + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + In the sledge at once stood upright, + From the sledge he sprang unaided, + And courageously stood upright. + To the room he hastened quickly, + And beneath the roof he hurried. + + There they brought a silver beaker, + And a golden goblet likewise, + But they proved by far too little, + Holding but the smallest measure 10 + Of the blood of aged Vaino, + From the hero's foot that spouted. + + From the stove the old man mumbled, + Cried the greybeard when he saw him, + "Who among mankind may'st thou be, + Who among the roll of heroes? + Seven large boats with blood are brimming, + Eight large tubs are overflowing + From your knee, O most unhappy, + On the floor in torrents gushing. 20 + Other words I well remember, + But the oldest I recall not, + How the iron was first created, + And the unworked ore was fashioned." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Answered in the words that follow: + "Well I know the birth of Iron, + And how steel was first created. + Air is the primeval mother, + Water is the eldest brother, 30 + Iron is the youngest brother, + And the Fire in midst between them. + + "Ukko, mightiest of Creators, + He, the God above in heaven, + From the Air the Water parted, + And the continents from water, + When unborn was evil Iron, + Uncreated, undeveloped. + + "Ukko, God of realms supernal, + Rubbed his mighty hands together. 40 + Both his hands he rubbed together, + On his left knee then he pressed them, + And three maidens were created, + Three fair Daughters of Creation, + Mothers of the rust of Iron, + And of blue-mouthed steel the fosterers. + + "Strolled the maids with faltering footsteps + On the borders of the cloudlets, + And their full breasts were o'erflowing, + And their nipples pained them sorely. 50 + Down on earth their milk ran over, + From their breasts' overflowing fulness, + Milk on land, and milk on marshes, + Milk upon the peaceful waters. + + "Black milk from the first was flowing, + From the eldest of the maidens, + White milk issued from another, + From the second of the maidens, + Red milk by the third was yielded, + By the youngest of the maidens. 60 + + "Where the black milk had been dropping, + There was found the softest Iron, + Where the white milk had been flowing, + There the hardest steel was fashioned, + Where the red milk had been trickling, + There was undeveloped Iron. + + "But a short time had passed over, + When the Iron desired to visit + Him, its dearest elder brother, + And to make the Fire's acquaintance. 70 + + "But the Fire arose in fury, + Blazing up in greatest anger, + Seeking to consume its victim, + E'en the wretched Iron, its brother. + + "Then the Iron sought out a refuge, + Sought for refuge and protection + From the hands of furious Fire, + From his mouth, all bright with anger. + + "Then the Iron took refuge from him, + Sought both refuge and protection 80 + Down amid the quaking marshes, + Where the springs have many sources, + On the level mighty marshes, + On the void and barren mountains, + Where the swans their eggs deposit, + And the goose her brood is rearing. + + "In the swamps lay hid the Iron, + Stretched beneath the marshy surface, + Hid for one year and a second, + For a third year likewise hidden, 90 + Hidden there between two tree-stumps, + 'Neath three roots of birch-trees hidden + But it had not yet found safety + From the fierce hands of the Fire, + And a second time it wandered + To the dwelling of the Fire, + That it should be forged to weapons, + And to sword-blades should be fashioned. + + "On the marshes wolves were running, + On the heath the bears came trooping. 100 + 'Neath the wolves' feet quaked the marshes, + 'Neath the bears the heath was shaken, + Thus was ore of iron uncovered, + And the bars of steel were noticed, + Where the claws of wolves had trodden, + And the paws of bears had trampled. + + "Then was born smith Ilmarinen, + Thus was born, and thus was nurtured, + Born upon a hill of charcoal, + Reared upon a plain of charcoal, 110 + In his hands a copper hammer, + And his little pincers likewise. + + "Ilmari was born at night-time, + And at day he built his smithy, + Sought a place to build his smithy, + Where he could construct his bellows, + In the swamp he found a land-ridge, + And a small place in the marshes, + So he went to gaze upon it, + And examined the surroundings, 120 + And erected there his bellows, + And his anvil there constructed. + + "Then he hastened to the wolf-tracks, + And the bear-tracks also followed, + And the ore of iron he saw there, + And the lumps of steel he found there, + In the wolves' enormous footprints; + Where the bears' paws left their imprints. + Then he spoke the words which follow: + "'O thou most unlucky Iron, 130 + In an ill abode thou dwellest, + In a very lowly station, + 'Neath the wolf-prints in the marshes, + And the imprints of the bear-paws.' + + "Then he pondered and reflected, + 'What would be the upshot of it, + If I cast it in the fire, + And I laid it on the anvil?' + + "Sore alarmed was hapless Iron, + Sore alarmed, and greatly startled, 140 + When of Fire it heard him speaking, + Speaking of the furious Fire. + + "Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + 'But indeed it cannot happen; + Fire his friends will never injure, + Nor will harm his dear relations. + If you seek the Fire's red chamber, + All illumined with its brightness, + You will greatly gain in beauty, + And your splendour greatly increase. 150 + Fitted thus for men's keen sword-blades + Or as clasps for women's girdles.' + + "Therefore when the day was ended, + Was the Iron from out the marshes, + Delved from all the swampy places, + Carried homeward to the smithy. + + "Then he cast it in the furnace, + And he laid it on the anvil, + Blew a blast, and then a second, + And he blew again a third time, 160 + Till the Iron was fully softened, + And the ore completely melted, + Like to wheaten dough in softness, + Soft as dough for ryebread kneaded, + In the furnace of the smithy, + By the bright flame's softening power. + + "Then exclaimed the Iron unhappy, + 'O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Take me quickly from this furnace, + From the red flames that torment me.' 170 + + "Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + 'If I take you from the furnace, + Perhaps you might become outrageous, + And commit some furious action. + Perhaps you might attack your brother, + And your mother's child might injure.' + + "Therefore swore the Iron unhappy, + By the oaths of all most solemn, + By the forge and by the anvil, + By the hammer and the mallet, 180 + And it said the words which follow, + And expressed itself in this wise: + 'Give me trees that I can bite them, + Give me stones that I may break them, + I will not assault my brother, + Nor my mother's child will injure. + Better will be my existence, + And my life will be more happy, + If I dwell among companions, + As the tools of handicraftsmen, 190 + Than to wound my own relations, + And disgrace my own connections.' + + "Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He, the great primeval craftsman, + From the fire removed the Iron; + Laid it down upon the anvil, + Welded it till it was wearied, + Shaped it into pointed weapons, + Into spears, and into axes, + Into tools of all descriptions. 200 + Still there was a trifle wanting, + And the soft Iron still defective, + For the tongue of Iron had hissed not, + And its mouth of steel was formed not, + For the Iron was not yet hardened, + Nor with water had been tempered. + + "Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Pondered over what was needed, + Mixed a small supply of ashes, + And some lye he added to it, 210 + To the blue steel's smelting mixture, + For the tempering of the Iron. + + "With his tongue he tried the liquid, + Tasted it if it would please him, + And he spoke the words which follow: + 'Even yet it does not please me + For the blue steel's smelting mixture, + And perfecting of the Iron.' + From without a bee came flying, + Blue-winged from the grassy hillocks, 220 + Hovering forwards, hovering backwards, + Hovering all around the smithy. + + "Then the smith spoke up as follows: + 'O thou bee, my nimble comrade, + Honey on thy wings convey me, + On thy tongue from out the forest, + From the summits of six flowerets, + And from seven tall grass-stems bring it, + For the blue steel's smelting mixture, + And the tempering of the Iron.' 230 + + "But the hornet, Bird of Hiisi, + Looked around him, and he listened, + Gazing from beside the roof-tree, + Looking from below the birchbark, + At the tempering of the Iron, + And the blue steel's smelting mixture. + + "Thence he flew on whirring pinions, + Scattering all of Hiisi's terrors, + Brought the hissing of the serpents, + And of snakes the dusky venom, 240 + And of ants he brought the acid, + And of toads the hidden poison, + That the steel might thus be poisoned, + In the tempering of the Iron. + + "Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He, the greatest of the craftsmen, + Was deluded, and imagined + That the bee returned already, + And had brought the honey needed, + Brought the honey that he wanted, 250 + And he spoke the words which follow: + 'Here at last is what will please me, + For the blue steel's smelting mixture, + And the tempering of the Iron,' + + "Thereupon the steel he lifted, + In he plunged the luckless Iron, + As from out the fire he took it, + And he took it from the anvil. + + "Then indeed the steel was angry, + And the Iron was seized with fury. 260 + And its oath the wretch has broken, + Like a dog has soiled its honour, + Brutally its brother bitten, + Striking at its own relations, + Let the blood rush forth in torrents, + From the wound in torrents gushing." + + From the stove the old man mumbled, + (Shook his beard, his head he nodded) + "Now I know whence comes the Iron, + And of steel the evil customs. 270 + + "O thou most unhappy Iron, + Wretched Iron, slag most worthless, + Steel thou art of evil witchcraft, + Thou hast been for nought developed, + But to turn to evil courses, + In the greatness of thy power. + + "Once thou wast devoid of greatness; + Neither wast thou great nor little, + Neither noted for thy beauty, + Nor remarkable for evil, 280 + When as milk thou wast created, + When the sweet milk trickled over + From the breasts of youthful maidens, + From the maidens' swelling bosoms, + On the borders of the cloudland, + 'Neath the broad expanse of heaven. + + "Thou wast then devoid of greatness, + Thou wast neither great nor little, + When thou in the mud wast resting, + Sunk below the sparkling water, 290 + Overspreading all the marshland, + At the base of rocky mountains, + And in loose earth thou wast altered, + And to iron-ore converted. + + "Thou wast still devoid of greatness, + Thou wast neither great nor little, + When the elks were trampling o'er thee, + And the reindeer, in the marshes, + When the wolves' claws trod upon thee, + And the bears' paws passed above thee. 300 + + "Thou wast still devoid of greatness, + Thou wast neither great nor little, + When thou from the marsh wast gathered, + From the ground with care uplifted, + Carried thence into the smithy, + To the forge of Ilmarinen. + + "Thou wast still devoid of greatness, + Thou wast neither great nor little, + When as ore thou there wast hissing, + Plunged amid the boiling water, 310 + Or amid the fiery furnace, + When the mighty oath thou sworest, + By the forge and by the anvil, + By the hammer and the mallet, + Where the smith himself was standing, + On the flooring of the smithy. + + "Now that thou hast grown to greatness, + Thou hast wrought thyself to frenzy, + And thy mighty oath hast broken, + Like a dog hast soiled thy honour, 320 + For thy kinsman thou hast wounded, + Raised thy mouth against thy kinsman. + + "Who hast led thee to this outrage, + To this wickedness incited? + Perhaps thy father or thy mother, + Or the eldest of thy brothers, + Or the youngest of thy sisters, + Or some other near relation? + + "Not thy father, not thy mother, + Nor the eldest of thy brothers, 330 + Nor the youngest of thy sisters + Nor some other near relation. + Thou thyself hast wrought the evil, + And hast done a deadly outrage. + Come thyself to see the mischief, + And to remedy the evil. + Come, before I tell thy mother, + And complain unto thy parents, + More will be thy mother's trouble, + Great the anguish of thy parents, 340 + That their son had wrought this evil, + And their son had wrought this folly. + + "Hear me, Blood, and cease thy flowing, + O thou Bloodstream, rush no longer, + Nor upon my head spirt further, + Nor upon my breast down-trickle. + Like a wall, O Blood, arrest thee, + Like a fence, O Bloodstream, stand thou, + As a flag in lakelet standing, + Like a reed in moss-grown country, 350 + Like the bank that bounds the cornfield, + Like a rock in raging torrent. + + "But thy own sense ought to teach thee + How that thou should'st run more smoothly. + In the flesh should'st thou be moving, + With thy current smoothly flowing. + In the body is it better, + Underneath the skin more lovely + Through the veins to trace thy pathway, + With thy current smoothly flowing, 360 + Than upon the earth rash downward, + And among the dust to trickle. + + "Flow not, milk, upon the flooring, + Soil thou not, O Blood, the meadows, + Nor the grass, O crown of manhood, + Nor the hillocks, gold of heroes. + In the heart should be thy dwelling, + And among the lungs' dark cellars. + Thither then withdraw thou quickly, + There withdraw upon the instant. 370 + Do not issue like a river, + Nor as pond extend thy billows, + Trickling forth from out the marshes, + Nor to leak like boats when damaged. + + "Therefore, dear one, cease thy flowing, + Crimson Blood, drip down no longer, + Not impeded, but contented. + Dry were once the Falls of Tyrja, + Likewise Tuonela's dread river, + Dry the lake and dry the heaven, 380 + In the mighty droughts of summer, + In the evil times of bush-fires. + + "If thou wilt not yet obey me, + Still I know another method, + And resort to fresh enchantments: + And I call for Hiisi's caldron, + And will boil the blood within it + All the blood that forth has issued, + So that not a drop escapes me, + That the red blood flows no longer, 390 + Nor the blood to earth drops downward, + And the blood no more may issue. + + "But if manly strength has failed me, + Nor is Ukko's son a hero, + Who can stop this inundation, + Stem the swift arterial torrent, + Thou our Father in the heavens, + Jumala, the clouds who rulest, + Thou hast manly strength sufficient, + Thou thyself the mighty hero, 400 + Who shall close the blood's wide gateway, + And shall stem the blood escaping. + + "Ukko, O thou great Creator, + Jumala, aloft in heaven, + Hither come where thou art needed, + Hither come where we implore thee, + Press thy mighty hands upon it, + Press thy mighty thumbs upon it, + And the painful wound close firmly, + And the door whence comes the evil, 410 + Spread the tender leaves upon it, + Leaves of golden water-lily, + Thus to close the path of bleeding, + And to stem the rushing torrent, + That upon my beard it spirts not, + Nor upon my rags may trickle." + + Thus he closed the bleeding opening, + Stemming thus the bloody torrent, + Sent his son into the smithy, + To prepare a healing ointment 420 + From the blades of magic grasses, + From the thousand-headed yarrow, + And from dripping mountain-honey, + Falling down in drops of sweetness. + Then the boy went to the smithy, + To prepare the healing ointment, + On the way he passed an oak-tree, + And he stopped and asked the oak-tree, + "Have you honey on your branches? + And beneath your bark sweet honey?" 430 + + And the oak-tree gave him answer, + "Yesterday, throughout the evening, + Dripped the honey on my branches, + On my summit splashed the honey, + From the clouds dropped down the honey, + From the scattered clouds distilling." + + Then he took the slender oak-twigs, + From the tree the broken fragments, + Took the best among the grasses, + Gathered many kinds of herbage, 440 + Herbs one sees not in this country; + Such were mostly what he gathered. + + Then he placed them o'er the furnace, + And the mixture brought to boiling; + Both the bark from off the oak-tree, + And the finest of the grasses. + Thus the pot was boiling fiercely, + Three long nights he kept it boiling, + And for three days of the springtime, + While he watched the ointment closely, 450 + If the salve was fit for using, + And the magic ointment ready. + + But the salve was still unfinished, + Nor the magic ointment ready; + Grasses to the mass he added, + Added herbs of many species, + Which were brought from other places, + Gathered on a hundred pathways, + These were culled by nine magicians, + And by eight wise seers discovered. 460 + + Then for three nights more he boiled it, + And for nine nights in succession; + Took the pot from off the furnace, + And the salve with care examined, + If the salve was fit for using, + And the magic ointment ready + + Here there grew a branching aspen, + On the borders of the cornfield, + And in twain he broke the aspen, + And the tree completely severed, 470 + With the magic salve he smeared it, + Carefully the ointment tested, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "As I with this magic ointment + Smear the injured crown all over, + Let no harm be left upon it, + Let the aspen stand uninjured, + Even as it stood aforetime." + + Then at once was healed the aspen, + Even as it stood aforetime, 480 + And its crown was far more lovely, + And the trunk below was healthy. + + Then again he took the ointment, + And the salve again he tested, + And on broken stones he tried it, + And on shattered rocks he rubbed it, + And the stone with stone knit firmly, + And the cracks were fixed together. + + From the forge the boy came homeward, + When the salve was fit for using, 490 + With the ointment quite perfected, + In the old man's hands he placed it. + "Here I bring a perfect ointment, + And the magic salve is ready. + It could fuse the hills together, + In a single rock unite them." + + With his tongue the old man tried it, + With his mouth the liquid tasted, + And the ointment tasted perfect, + And the salve was most efficient. 500 + + This he smeared on Vainamoinen, + And with this he healed the sufferer; + Stroked him downward, stroked him upward, + Rubbed him also on the middle, + And he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "'Tis not I who use my muscles, + But 'tis the Creator moves them; + With my own strength do not labour, + But with strength from the Almighty. 510 + With my mouth I speak not to you; + Jumala's own mouth speaks with you, + If my speech is sweet unto you, + Jumala's own speech is sweeter. + Even if my hands are lovely, + The Creator's hands are fairer." + + When the salve was rubbed upon him, + And the healing ointment touched him, + Almost fainting with the anguish, + Vainamoinen writhed and struggled. 520 + Turning this way, turning that way, + Seeking ease, but never finding. + + Then the old man banned the suffering, + Far away he drove the anguish, + To the central Hill of Tortures, + To the topmost Mount of Suffering, + There to fill the stones with anguish, + And the slabs of rock to torture. + + Then he took a silken fabric, + And in strips he quickly cut it; 530 + From the edge he tore the fragments, + And at once he formed a bandage; + Then he took the silken bandage, + And with utmost care he wound it, + Round the knees he wound it deftly, + Round the toes of Vainamoinen. + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "Thus I use God's silken bandage, + The Creator's mantle wind I 540 + Round the great knees of the patient, + Round the toes of one most noble. + Watch thou, Jumala most gracious, + Give thy aid, O great Creator, + That we fall not in misfortune, + That no evil may o'ertake us." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Felt he had regained his vigour, + And that he was healed completely, + And his flesh again was solid, 550 + And beneath it all was healthy. + In his body he was painless, + And his sides were quite uninjured, + From above the wounds had vanished, + Stronger felt he than aforetime, + Better than in former seasons. + On his feet he now was walking + And could bend his knees in stamping; + Not the least of pain he suffered, + Not a trace remained of aching. 560 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Lifted up his eyes to heaven, + Gazing up to God most gracious, + Lifting up his head to heaven, + And he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "Thence all mercy flows for ever, + Thence comes aid the most effective, + From the heaven that arches o'er us, + From the omnipotent Creator. 570 + + "Praise to Jumala most gracious, + Praise to thee, O great Creator, + That thy aid thou hast vouchsafed me, + Granted me thy strong protection, + When my suffering was the greatest, + From the edge of sharpest Iron." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Further spoke these words of warning: + "People, henceforth in the future + On your present welfare build not, 580 + Make no boat in mood of boasting, + Nor confide too much in boat-ribs. + God foresees the course of by-ways, + The Creator orders all things; + Not the foresight of the heroes, + Nor the might of all the great ones." + + + + +RUNO X.--THE FORGING OF THE SAMPO + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen reaches home and urges Ilmarinen to depart to woo the Maiden +of Pohja, because he would be able to forge a Sampo (1-100). Ilmarinen +refuses to go to Pohjola, but Vainamoinen conveys him thither without +his consent by a stratagem (101-200). Ilmarinen arrives in Pohjola, +where he is very well received, and promises to forge a Sampo (201-280). +He forges the Sampo, and the Mistress of Pohjola conceals it in the +Rocky Mountain of Pohjola (281-432). Ilmarinen asks for the maiden as +his reward, but she makes excuses, saying that she is not yet ready to +leave home (433-462). Ilmarinen receives a boat, returns home, and +informs Vainamoinen that he has forged the Sampo in Pohjola (463-510). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Took his horse of chestnut colour, + And between the shafts he yoked him, + Yoked before the sledge the chestnut, + On the sledge himself he mounted, + And upon the seat he sat him. + + Quickly then his whip he flourished, + Cracked his whip, all bead-embroidered, + Quick he sped upon his journey, + Lurched the sledge, the way was shortened, 10 + Loudly rang the birchwood runners, + And the rowan cumber rattled. + + On he rushed with speed tremendous, + Through the swamps and open country, + O'er the heaths, so wide extending. + Thus he drove a day, a second, + And at length, upon the third day, + Reached the long bridge-end before him + Kalevala's extended heathlands, + Bordering on the field of Osmo. 20 + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in this wise: + "Wolf, do thou devour the dreamer, + Seize the Laplander, O sickness, + He who said that I should never + In my lifetime reach my homestead, + Nor again throughout my lifetime, + Nor as long as shines the moonlight, + Neither tread Vainola's meadows; + Kalevala's extended heathlands." 30 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Spoke aloud his songs of magic, + And a flower-crowned birch grew upward, + Crowned with flowers, and leaves all golden, + And its summit reached to heaven, + To the very clouds uprising. + In the air the boughs extended, + And they spread themselves to heaven. + + Then he sang his songs of magic, + And he sang a moon all shining, 40 + On the pine-tree's golden summit; + And the Great Bear in the branches. + + On he drove with speed tremendous, + Straight to his beloved homestead, + Head bowed down, and thoughts all gloomy, + And his cap was tilted sideways, + For the great smith Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + He had promised as his surety, + That his own head he might rescue 50 + Out of Pohjola's dark regions, + Sariola for ever misty. + + Presently his horse he halted + At the new-cleared field of Osmo, + And the aged Vainamoinen, + In the sledge his head uplifted, + Heard the noise within the smithy, + And the clatter in the coal-shed. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Then himself the smithy entered, 60 + And he found smith Ilmarinen, + Wielding mightily his hammer. + + Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Where have you so long been staying. + Where have you so long been living?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "There have I so long been staying, + There have I so long been living, 70 + In the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola for ever misty. + Long I coursed on Lapland snowshoes, + With the world-renowned magicians." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Thou the great primeval sorcerer. + Tell me of your journey thither; + Tell me of your homeward journey." 80 + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Much indeed have I to tell you: + Lives in Pohjola a maiden, + In that village cold a virgin, + Who will not accept a suitor, + Mocks the very best among them. + Half of all the land of Pohja + Praises her surpassing beauty. + From her temples shines the moonlight, + From her breasts the sun is shining, 90 + And the Great Bear from her shoulders, + From her back the starry Seven. + + "Thou thyself, smith Ilmarinen, + Thou, the great primeval craftsman, + Go thyself to woo the maiden, + And behold her shining tresses. + If you can but forge a Sampo, + With its many-coloured cover, + You will then receive the maiden, + And the fair maid be your guerdon." 100 + + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + You have perhaps already pledged me + To the gloomy land of Pohja, + That your own head you might rescue, + And might thus secure your freedom. + Not in course of all my lifetime, + While the golden moon is shining, + Hence to Pohjola I'll journey, + Huts of Sariola so dreary, 110 + Where the people eat each other, + And they even drown the heroes." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Answered in the words which follow: + "There is wonder after wonder; + There's a pine with flowery summit, + Flowery summit, leaves all golden, + Near where Osmo's field is bordered. + On the crown the moon is shining, + In the boughs the Bear is resting." 120 + + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "This I never can believe in, + If I do not go to see it, + And my own eyes have not seen it." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "If you cannot then believe it, + We will go ourselves, and witness + Whether true or false the story." + + Then they both went forth to see it, + View the pine with flowery summit, 130 + First walked aged Vainamoinen, + And smith Ilmarinen second. + When they reached the spot they sought for, + On the edge of Osmo's cornfield, + Then the smith his steps arrested, + In amazement at the pine-tree, + With the Great Bear in the branches, + And the moon upon its summit. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Spoke the very words which follow: 140 + "Now thou smith, my dearest brother, + Climb and fetch the moon above us, + Bring thou, too, the Great Bear shining + On the pine-tree's golden summit." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Climbed aloft into the pine-tree, + Up he climbed into the daylight, + Climbed to fetch the moon above him, + And the Great Bear, shining brightly, + On the pine-tree's golden summit. 150 + + Said the pine-tree's golden summit, + Said the widely-branching pine-tree, + "Mighty man, of all most foolish, + O most thoughtless of the heroes! + In my branches, fool, thou climbest, + To my summit, as a boy might, + And would'st grasp the moon's reflection, + And the false stars thou beholdest!" + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Lifted up his voice in singing. 160 + As he sang uprose a tempest, + And the wind rose wildly furious, + And he spoke the words which follow. + And expressed himself in thiswise: + "In thy boat, O wind, convey him, + In thy skiff, O breeze, convey him, + Bear him to the distant regions + Of the gloomy land of Pohja." + + Then there rose a mighty tempest, + And the wind so wildly furious 170 + Carried off smith Ilmarinen, + Hurried him to distant regions, + To the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola for ever misty. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Journeyed forth, and hurried onwards, + On the tempest forth he floated, + On the pathway of the breezes, + Over moon, and under sunray, + On the shoulders of the Great Bear, 180 + Till he reached the halls of Pohja, + Baths of Sariola the gloomy, + Yet the tailed-dogs were not barking, + And the watch-dogs were not yelping. + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Old and gap-toothed dame of Pohja, + In the house she stood and listened, + And at length she spoke as follows: + "Who then are you among mortals, + Who among the roll of heroes, 190 + On the tempest-path who comest, + On the sledgeway of the breezes, + Yet the dogs ran forth not, barking, + And the shaggy-tailed ones barked not." + + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "Surely I have not come hither + That the village dogs should shame me, + Or the shaggy-tailed ones hurt me, + Here behind these foreign portals, + And behind these unknown fences." 200 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Question thus the new-come stranger: + "Have you ever on your travels, + Heard reports of, or encountered + Him, the great smith Ilmarinen, + Most accomplished of the craftsmen? + Long have we been waiting for him, + Long been anxious for his coming + Here to Pohjola's dark regions, + That a Sampo he might forge us." 210 + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "I have met upon my journey + With the smith named Ilmarinen; + I myself am Ilmarinen, + And a most accomplished craftsman." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Old and gap-toothed dame of Pohja, + Hurried back into her dwelling, + And she spoke the words which follow: 220 + "Come my daughter, thou the youngest, + Thou the fairest of my children, + Robe thyself in choicest raiment, + Clothe thee in the brightest-coloured, + In the finest of your dresses, + Brightest beads upon thy bosom, + Round thy neck the very finest, + And upon thy temples shining. + See thou that thy cheeks are rosy, + And thy countenance is cheerful. 230 + Here's the smith named Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Who will forge the Sampo for us, + With its brightly-pictured cover." + + Then the lovely maid of Pohja, + Famed on land, on water peerless, + Took the choicest of her dresses, + And the brightest of her garments, + And the fifth at last selected. + Then her head-dress she adjusted, 240 + And her copper belt girt round her, + And her wondrous golden girdle. + + Back she came from out the storeroom, + Dancing back into the courtyard, + And her eyes were brightly shining. + As she moved, her earrings jingled, + And her countenance was charming, + And her lovely cheeks were rosy. + Gold was shining on her bosom, + On her head was silver gleaming. 250 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Lead the smith named Ilmarinen, + Into Pohjola's great castle. + Rooms of Sariola the gloomy. + There she set a meal before him, + Gave the hero drink in plenty, + And she feasted him profusely, + And at length she spoke as follows: + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Thou the great primeval craftsman, 260 + If you can but forge a Sampo, + With its many-coloured cover, + From the tips of swans' white wing-plumes, + From the milk of barren heifer, + From a little grain of barley, + From the wool of sheep of summer, + Will you then accept this maiden, + As reward, my charming daughter?" + + Then the smith named Ilmarinen + Answered in the words which follow: 270 + "I will go to forge the Sampo, + Weld its many-coloured cover, + From the tips of swans' white wing-plumes, + From the milk of barren heifer, + From a little grain of barley, + From the wool of sheep of summer, + For 'twas I who forged the heavens, + And the vault of air I hammered, + Ere the air had yet beginning, + Or a trace of aught was present." 280 + + Then he went to forge the Sampo, + With its many-coloured cover, + Sought a station for a smithy, + And he needed tools for labour; + But no place he found for smithy, + Nor for smithy, nor for bellows, + Nor for furnace, nor for anvil, + Not a hammer, nor a mallet. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Spoke aloud the words which follow: 290 + "None despair, except old women, + Scamps may leave their task unfinished; + Not a man, how weak soever, + Not a hero of the laziest!" + + For his forge he sought a station, + And a wide place for the bellows, + In the country round about him, + In the outer fields of Pohja. + So he sought one day, a second, + And at length upon the third day 300 + Found a stone all streaked with colours, + And a mighty rock beside it. + Here the smith his search abandoned, + And the smith prepared his furnace, + On the first day fixed the bellows, + And the forge upon the second. + + Thereupon smith Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Heaped the fuel upon the fire, + And beneath the forge he thrust it, 310 + Made his servants work the bellows, + To the half of all their power. + + So the servants worked the bellows, + To the half of all their power. + During three days of the summer, + During three nights of the summer. + Stones beneath their heels were resting, + And upon their toes were boulders. + + On the first day of their labour + He himself, smith Ilmarinen, 320 + Stooped him down, intently gazing, + To the bottom of the furnace, + If perchance amid the fire + Something brilliant had developed. + + From the flames there rose a crossbow, + Golden bow from out the furnace; + 'Twas a gold bow tipped with silver, + And the shaft shone bright with copper. + + And the bow was fair to gaze on, + But of evil disposition, 330 + And a head each day demanded, + And on feast-days two demanded. + + He himself, smith Ilmarinen, + Was not much delighted with it, + So he broke the bow to pieces, + Cast it back into the furnace, + Made his servants work the bellows, + To the half of all their power. + So again upon the next day, + He himself, smith Ilmarinen, 340 + Stooped him down, intently gazing + To the bottom of the furnace, + And a boat rose from the furnace, + From the heat rose up a red boat, + And the prow was golden-coloured, + And the rowlocks were of copper. + + And the boat was fair to gaze on, + But of evil disposition; + It would go to needless combat, + And would fight when cause was lacking. 350 + + Therefore did smith Ilmarinen + Take no slightest pleasure in it, + And he smashed the boat to splinters, + Cast it back into the furnace; + Made his servants work the bellows, + To the half of all their power. + Then upon the third day likewise, + He himself, smith Ilmarinen, + Stooped him down, intently gazing + To the bottom of the furnace, 360 + And a heifer then rose upward, + With her horns all golden-shining, + With the Bear-stars on her forehead; + On her head appeared the Sun-disc. + + And the cow was fair to gaze on, + But of evil disposition; + Always sleeping in the forest, + On the ground her milk she wasted. + + Therefore did smith Ilmarinen + Take no slightest pleasure in her, 370 + And he cut the cow to fragments, + Cast her back into the furnace, + Made his servants work the bellows, + To the half of all their power. + + So again upon the fourth day, + He himself, smith Ilmarinen + Stooped him down, and gazed intently + To the bottom of the furnace, + And a plough rose from the furnace, + With the ploughshare golden-shining, 380 + Golden share, and frame of copper, + And the handles tipped with silver. + + And the plough was fair to gaze on, + But of evil disposition, + Ploughing up the village corn fields, + Ploughing up the open meadows. + + Therefore did smith Ilmarinen + Take no slightest pleasure in it. + And he broke the plough to pieces, + Cast it back into the furnace, 390 + Call the winds to work the bellows + To the utmost of their power. + + Then the winds arose in fury, + Blew the east wind, blew the west wind, + And the south wind yet more strongly, + And the north wind howled and blustered. + Thus they blew one day, a second, + And upon the third day likewise. + Fire was flashing from the windows, + From the door the sparks were flying 400 + And the dust arose to heaven; + With the clouds the smoke was mingled. + Then again smith Ilmarinen, + On the evening of the third day, + Stooped him down, and gazed intently + To the bottom of the furnace, + And he saw the Sampo forming, + With its many-coloured cover. + + Thereupon smith Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, 410 + Welded it and hammered at it, + Heaped his rapid blows upon it, + Forged with cunning art the Sampo, + And on one side was a corn-mill, + On another side a salt-mill, + And upon the third a coin-mill. + + Now was grinding the new Sampo, + And revolved the pictured cover, + Chestfuls did it grind till evening, + First for food it ground a chestful, 420 + And another ground for barter, + And a third it ground for storage. + + Now rejoiced the Crone of Pohja, + And conveyed the bulky Sampo, + To the rocky hills of Pohja, + And within the Mount of Copper, + And behind nine locks secured it. + There it struck its roots around it, + Fathoms nine in depth that measured, + One in Mother Earth deep-rooted, 430 + In the strand the next was planted, + In the nearest mount the third one. + + Afterwards smith Ilmarinen, + Asked the maiden as his guerdon, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Will you give me now the maiden, + For the Sampo is completed, + With its beauteous pictured cover?" + + Then the lovely maid of Pohja + Answered in the words which follow: 440 + "Who in years that this shall follow, + For three summers in succession, + Who shall hear the cuckoo calling, + And the birds all sweetly singing, + If I seek a foreign country, + As in foreign lands a berry? + + "If the dove had thus departed, + And the maiden thus should wander, + Strayed away the mother's darling, + Likewise would the cranberries vanish, 450 + All the cuckoos vanish with them, + And the nightingales would migrate, + From the summit of this mountain, + From the summits of these uplands. + + "Not as yet can I abandon + My delightful life as maiden, + And my innocent employments + In the glowing heat of summer. + All unplucked the mountain-berries, + And the lakeshore will be songless, 460 + And unvisited the meadows, + And in woods I sport no longer." + + Thereupon smith Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Sad, and with his head down-hanging, + And his cap in grief thrust sideways, + Presently began to ponder, + In his head long time debating + How he now should journey homeward, + To his own familiar country, 470 + From the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola for ever misty. + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen + Wherefore is thy mind so saddened, + And thy cap in grief pushed sideways? + Are you thinking how to journey, + Homeward to your native country?" + + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "Yes, my thoughts are there directed 480 + To my home that I may die there, + And may rest in scenes familiar." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Set both meat and drink before him, + At the boat-stern then she placed him, + There to work the copper paddle. + And she bade the wind blow strongly, + And the north wind fiercely bluster. + + Thus it was smith Ilmarinen + He the great primeval craftsman, 490 + Travelled homeward to his country, + O'er the blue sea's watery surface. + Thus he voyaged one day, a second, + And at length upon the third day, + Reached the smith his home in safety, + In the land where he was nurtured. + + Asked the aged Vainamoinen, + When he saw smith Ilmarinen, + "Ilmarinen, smith and brother, + Thou the great primeval craftsman, 500 + Hast thou forged a new-made Sampo, + With its many-coloured cover?" + + Then replied smith Ilmarinen, + Ready with a fitting answer, + "Grinds forth meal, the new-made Sampo, + And revolves the pictured cover, + Chestfuls does it grind till evening, + First for food it grinds a chestful, + And another grinds for barter, + And a third it grinds for storage." 510 + + + + +RUNO XI.--LEMMINKAINEN AND KYLLIKKI + + +_Argument_ + +Lemminkainen goes to seek a wife among the noble maidens of Saari +(1-110). At first they laugh at him, but afterwards become very friendly +(111-156). But Kyllikki, on whose account he has come, will not listen +to him, and at length, he carries her off by force, drags her into his +sledge, and drives away with her (157-222). Kyllikki weeps, and +especially reproaches Lemminkainen with his fondness for war, and +Lemminkainen promises not to go to war if Kyllikki promises never to go +to the village dances, and both swear to observe these conditions +(223-314). Lemminkainen drives home, and mother rejoices in her young +daughter-in-law (315-402). + + Now 'tis time to speak of Ahti, + Of that lively youth to gossip. + Ahti, dweller in the island, + He the scapegrace son of Lempi, + In a noble house was nurtured, + By his dear and much-loved mother + Where the bay spread out most widely. + Where the cape extended furthest, + + Kauko fed himself on fishes, + Ahti was reared up on perches, 10 + And he grew a man most handsome, + Very bold and very ruddy, + And his head was very handsome, + And his form was very shapely, + Yet he was not wholly faultless, + But was careless in his morals, + Passing all his time with women, + Wandering all around at night-time, + When the maidens took their pleasure + In the dance, with locks unbraided. 20 + + Kylli, beauteous maid of Saari, + Saari's maiden, Saari's flower, + In a noble house was nurtured. + And her stature grew most graceful, + Sitting in her father's dwelling, + Resting there in seat of honour. + + Long she grew, and wide was famous: + Suitors came from distant regions, + To the far-famed maiden's homestead, + To the dwelling of the fair one. 30 + + For his son, the Sun had wooed her. + But she would not go to Sunland, + Where the Sun is ever shining + In the burning heats of summer. + + For his son, the Moon had wooed her, + But she would not go to Moonland, + Where the Moon is ever shining, + In the realms of air to wander. + + For his son, a Star had wooed her, + But she would not go to Starland, 40 + Through the livelong night to glimmer, + In the open skies of winter. + Many suitors came from Viro, + And from Ingerland came others; + None among them pleased the maiden, + And she answered all as follows: + "'Tis for nought your gold you squander, + And your silver waste for nothing. + Never will I go to Viro, + Neither go, nor in the future 50 + Row a boat through Viro's waters, + Nor will move a punt from Saari, + Nor will eat the fish of Viro, + Nor the fish-soup eat of Viro. + + "Nor to Ingerland I'll travel, + Nor its slopes and shores will visit. + There is hunger, nought but hunger, + Want of trees, and want of timber, + Want of water, want of wheatfields, + There is even want of ryebread." 60 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Now resolved to make a journey + And to woo the Flower of Saari, + Seek at home the peerless fair one, + With her beauteous locks unbraided. + + But his mother would dissuade him, + And the aged woman warned him: + "Do not seek, my son, my darling, + Thus to wed above your station. 70 + There are none would think you noble + Of the mighty race of Saari." + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + Said the handsome Kaukomieli, + "If my house is not as noble, + Nor my race esteemed so mighty, + For my handsome shape they'll choose me, + For my noble form will take me." + + But his mother still opposed her + Unto Lemminkainen's journey, 80 + To the mighty race of Saari, + To the clan of vast possessions. + "There the maidens all will scorn you, + And the women ridicule you." + + Little heeded Lemminkainen, + And in words like these he answered: + "I will check the women's laughter, + And the giggling of their daughters. + Sons I'll give unto their bosoms, + Children in their arms to carry; 90 + Then they will no longer scorn me, + Thus I'll stop their foolish jesting." + + Then his mother made him answer; + "Woe to me, my life is wretched. + If you mock the Saari women, + Bring to shame the modest maidens, + You will bring yourself in conflict, + And a dreadful fight will follow. + All the noble youths of Saari, + Full a hundred skilful swordsmen, 100 + All shall rush on thee unhappy, + Standing all alone amidst them." + + Little heeded Lemminkainen + All the warnings of his mother; + Chose the best among his stallions. + And the steed he quickly harnessed, + And he drove away with clatter, + To the village famed of Saari, + There to woo the Flower of Saari, + She, the peerless maid of Saari. 110 + + But the women ridiculed him, + And the maidens laughed and jeered him. + In the lane he drove most strangely, + Strangely to the farm came driving, + Turned the sledge all topsy-turvy, + At the gate he overturned it. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Mouth awry, and head downsunken, + While his black beard he was twisting, + Spoke aloud the words which follow: 120 + "Never aught like this I witnessed, + Never saw I, never heard I, + That the women laughed about me, + And the maidens ridiculed me." + + Little troubled Lemminkainen, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Is there not a place in Saari, + On the firm ground of the island, + For the sport that I will show you, + And for dancing on the greensward, 130 + With the joyous girls of Saari, + With their fair unbraided tresses?" + + Then the Saari maidens answered, + Spoke the maidens of the headland: + "There is room enough in Saari, + On the firm ground of the island, + For the sport that you shall show us, + And for dancing on the greensward, + For the milkmaids in the meadows, + And the herd-boys in their dances; 140 + Very lean are Saari's children, + But the foals are sleek and fattened." + + Little troubled Lemminkainen, + But engaged himself as herd-boy, + Passed his days among the meadows, + And his nights 'mid lively maidens, + Sporting with the charming maidens, + Toying with their unbound tresses. + + Thus the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, 150 + Ended soon the women's laughter, + And the joking of the maidens. + There was not a single daughter, + Not a maid, however modest, + But he did not soon embrace her, + And remain awhile beside her. + + One alone of all the maidens, + Of the mighty race of Saari, + Would not list to any lover, + Not the greatest man among them; 160 + Kyllikki, the fairest maiden, + Loveliest flower of all in Saari. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Wore a hundred boats to tatters, + Rowed in twain a hundred oars + As he strove to win the maiden, + Kyllikki herself to conquer. + + Kyllikki the lovely maiden + Answered him in words that follow: 170 + "Wherefore wander here, O weakling. + Racing round me like a plover, + Always seeking for a maiden, + With her tin-adorned girdle? + I myself will never heed you + Till the stone is ground to powder. + Till the pestle's stamped to pieces, + And the mortar smashed to atoms. + + "Nought I care for such a milksop, + Such a milksop, such a humbug; 180 + I must have a graceful husband, + I myself am also graceful; + I must have a shapely husband, + I myself am also shapely; + And a well-proportioned husband, + I myself am also handsome." + + But a little time thereafter, + Scarce had half a month passed over, + On a certain day it happened. + As was usual in the evenings, 190 + All the girls had met for pleasure, + And the beauteous maids were dancing; + In a grove near open country, + On a lovely space of heathland. + Kyllikki was first among them, + She the far-famed Flower of Saari. + Thither came the ruddy scoundrel, + There drove lively Lemminkainen, + With the best among his horses, + With the horse that he had chosen, 200 + Right into the green arena + Where the beauteous maids were dancing. + Kyllikki he seized and lifted, + Then into the sledge he pushed her, + And upon the bearskin sat her, + That upon the sledge was lying. + + With his whip he lashed the stallion, + And he cracked the lash above him, + And he started on his journey, + And he cried while driving onward: 210 + "O ye maidens, may ye never + In your lives betray the secret, + Speak of how I drove among you. + And have carried off the maiden. + + "But if you will not obey me, + You will fall into misfortune; + To the war I'll sing your lovers, + And the youths beneath the sword-blades, + That you hear no more about them, + See them not in all your lifetime, 220 + Either in the streets when walking. + Or across the fields when driving." + + Kyllikki lamented sorely, + Sobbed the beauteous Flower of Saari: + "Let me but depart in safety, + Let the child depart in safety, + Set me free to journey homeward + To console my weeping mother. + + "If you will not now release me, + Set me free to journey homeward, 230 + O then I have five strong brothers, + And my uncle's sons are seven, + Who can run with hare-like swiftness, + And will haste the maid to rescue." + + When she could not gain her freedom, + She began to weep profusely, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "I, poor maid, was born for nothing, + And for nought was born and fostered, + And my life was lived for nothing, 240 + Since I fall to one unworthy, + In a worthless fellow's clutches, + One for battle always ready, + And a rude ferocious warrior." + + Answered lively Lemminkainen, + Said the handsome Kaukomieli: + "Kyllikki, my dearest heart-core, + Thou my sweetest little berry, + Do not vex yourself so sorely, + Do not thus give way to sadness. 250 + I will cherish you when eating, + And caress you on my journeys, + Whether sitting, whether standing, + Always near when I am resting. + + "Wherefore then should you be troubled, + Wherefore should you sigh for sorrow? + Are you therefore grieved so sorely, + Therefore do you sigh for trouble, + Lest the cows or bread might fail you, + Or provisions be deficient? 260 + + "Do not vex yourself so sorely, + I have cows enough and plenty, + Plenty are there, milk to yield me, + Some, Muurikkis, in the marshes, + Some, Mansikkis, on the hill-sides, + Some, Puolukkas, on the clearing, + Sleek they are, although unfoddered. + Fine they are, although untended. + In the evening none need bind them, + In the evening none need loose them, 270 + No one need provide them fodder, + Nor give salt in morning hours. + + "Or perchance are you lamenting, + Sighing thus so full of trouble, + That I am not high descended, + Nor was born of noble lineage? + + "If I am not high descended, + Nor was born of noble lineage, + Yet have I a sword of keenness, + Gleaming brightly in the battle. 280 + This is surely high descended, + And has come of noble lineage, + For the blade was forged by Hiisi + And by Jumala 'twas polished, + Thus am I so high descended. + And I come of noblest lineage, + With my sword so keenly sharpened + Gleaming brightly in the battle." + + But the maiden sighed with anguish, + And in words like these made answer, 290 + "O thou Ahti, son of Lempi, + If you would caress the maiden, + Keep her at your side for ever. + Dove-like in thy arms for ever, + Pledge thyself by oaths eternal, + Not again to join in battle, + Whether love of gold may lure you, + Or your wish is fixed on silver." + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Answered in the words which follow: 300 + "Here I swear, by oaths eternal, + Not again to join in battle, + Whether love of gold may lure me, + Or my wish is fixed on silver. + But thyself on oath must pledge thee, + Not to wander to the village, + Whether for the love of dancing, + Or to loiter in the pathways." + + Then they took the oaths between them, + And with oaths eternal bound them, 310 + There in Jumala's high presence, + In the sight of the Almighty, + Ahti should not go to battle, + Nor should Kylli seek the village. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Whipped his steed to faster running, + Shook the reins to urge him onward, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Now farewell to Saari's meadows, + Roots of pine, and trunks of fir-trees, 320 + Where I wandered for a summer, + Where I tramped throughout the winter, + And on cloudy nights took shelter, + Hiding from the stormy weather, + While I waited for my dear one, + And to bear away my darling." + + On he urged his prancing courser, + Till he saw his home before him, + And the maiden spoke as follows, + And in words like these addressed him: 330 + "Lo, I see a hut before us, + Looking like a place of famine. + Tell me whose may be the cottage, + Whose may be this wretched dwelling?" + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Answered in the words which follow: + "Do not grieve about the hovel, + Sigh not for the hut before you. + We will build us other houses, + And establish better dwellings, 340 + Built of all the best of timber, + With the very best of planking." + + Thus the lively Lemminkainen + Reached again his home in safety, + Finding there his dearest mother, + She, his old and much-loved mother. + + And his mother spoke as follows, + And expressed herself in thiswise: + "Long, my son, have you been absent, + Long in foreign lands been roaming." 350 + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "I have brought to shame the women, + With the modest girls have sported, + And have well repaid the laughter, + And the jests they heaped upon me. + To my sledge the best I carried, + And upon the rug I sat her, + And between the runners laid her, + And beneath the rug I hid her; 360 + Thus repaid the laughing women, + And the joking of the maidens. + + "O my mother, who hast borne me, + O my mother, who hast reared me, + I have gained what I have sought for, + And have won what most I longed for. + Now prepare the best of bolsters, + And the softest of the cushions, + In my native land to rest me. + With the young and lovely maiden." 370 + + Then his mother spoke as follows, + And in words like these expressed her: + "Now to Jumala be praises, + Praise to thee, O great Creator + For the daughter thou hast sent me, + Who can fan the flames up brightly, + Who can work at weaving deftly, + And is skilful, too, in spinning, + And accomplished, too, in washing, + And can bleach the clothes to whiteness. 380 + + "For thy own weal thank him also; + Good is won, and good brought homeward: + Good decreed by the Creator, + Good that's granted by his mercy. + On the snow is fair the bunting, + Fairer yet is she beside thee; + White the foam upon the water, + Whiter yet this noble lady: + On the lake the duck is lovely, + Lovelier yet thy cherished darling; 390 + Brilliant is a star in heaven, + Brighter yet thy promised fair one. + + "Let the floors be wide expanded, + And the windows widened greatly, + Let new walls be now erected, + All the house be greatly bettered, + And the threshold new-constructed, + Place new doors upon the threshold, + For the youthful bride beside you, + She, of all the very fairest, 400 + She, the best of all the maidens, + And the noblest in her lineage." + + + + +RUNO XII.--LEMMINKAINEN'S FIRST EXPEDITION TO POHJOLA + + +_Argument_ + +Kyllikki forgets her oath and goes to the village, whereupon +Lemminkainen is enraged and resolves to divorce her immediately, and to +set forth to woo the Maiden of Pohja (1-128). His mother does her utmost +to dissuade him, telling him that he will very probably be killed. +Lemminkainen, who is brushing his hair, throws the brush angrily out of +his hand and declares that blood shall flow from the brush if he should +come to harm (129-212). He makes ready, starts on his journey, comes to +Pohjola, and sings all the men out of the homestead of Pohjola; and only +neglects to enchant one wicked cowherd (213-504). + + Then did Ahti Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukolainen + Live awhile a life of quiet + With the young bride he had chosen, + And he went not forth to battle, + Nor went Kylli to the village. + + But at length one day it happened + In the early morning hours, + Forth went Ahti Lemminkainen + To the place where spawn the fishes, 10 + And he came not home at evening, + And at nightfall he returned not. + Kyllikki then sought the village, + There to dance with sportive maidens. + + Who shall now the tidings carry, + Who will now convey a message? + Ainikki 'twas, Ahti's sister, + She it was who brought the tidings, + She it was conveyed the message. + "Ahti, O my dearest brother, 20 + Kyllikki has sought the village, + Entered there the doors of strangers, + Where the village girls are sporting, + Dancing with unbraided tresses." + + Ahti then, for ever boyish, + He the lively Lemminkainen, + Grew both sorrowful and angry, + And for long was wild with fury, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O my mother, aged woman, 30 + Wash my shirt, and wash it quickly + In the black snake's deadly venom, + Dry it then, and dry it quickly + That I may go forth to battle, + And contend with youths of Pohja, + And o'erthrow the youths of Lapland. + Kyllikki has sought the village, + Entered there the doors of strangers, + There to dance with sportive maidens, + With their tresses all unbraided." 40 + + Kyllikki made answer promptly, + She his favoured bride responded: + "Ahti, O my dearest husband, + Do not now depart to battle! + I beheld while I was sleeping, + While my slumber was the deepest, + From the hearth the flames were flashing, + Flashing forth with dazzling brightness, + Leaping up below the windows, + To the furthest walls extending, 50 + Then throughout the house blazed fiercely, + Like a cataract in its fury, + O'er the surface of the flooring, + And from window unto window." + + But the lively Lemminkainen + Answered in the words which follow: + "Nought I trust in dreams of women, + Nor rely on woman's insight. + O my mother who hast borne me, + Bring me here my war-shirt quickly, 60 + Bring me, too, my mail for battle, + For my inclination leads me + Hence to drink the beer of battle, + And to taste the mead of combat." + + Then his mother spoke in answer: + "O my son, my dearest Ahti, + Do thou not go forth to battle! + In the house is beer in plenty, + In the barrels made of alder. + And behind the taps of oakwood. 70 + It is seasoned now for drinking, + And all day canst thou be singing." + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "But for home-brewed ale I care not, + Rather would I drink stream-water, + From the end of tarry rudder, + And this drink were sweeter to me + Than the beer in all our cellars. + Bring me here my war-shirt quickly, + Bring me, too, my mail for battle. 80 + I will seek the homes of Pohja, + And o'erthrow the youths of Lapland, + And for gold will ask the people, + And I will demand their silver." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother, + "O my son, my dearest Ahti, + We ourselves have gold in plenty, + Silver plenty in the storeroom. + Only yesterday it happened, + In the early hours of morning, 90 + Ploughed the slave a field of vipers, + Full of twining, twisting serpents, + And a chest-lid raised the ploughshare, + And the chest was full of money. + Coins by hundreds there were hidden, + Thousands there were squeezed together, + To our stores the chest was carried, + In the loft we stored it safely." + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Nought I care for home-stored treasures. 100 + I will win me marks in battle, + Treasures won by far are better, + Than the gold in all our storerooms, + Or the silver found in ploughing. + Bring me here my war-shirt quickly, + Bring me, too, my mail for battle, + I will go to war in Pohja, + To destroy the sons of Lapland. + + "There my inclination leads me + And my understanding drives me, 110 + And my own ears shall inform me, + And my own eyes show me truly, + If in Pohjola a maiden, + In Pimentola a maiden, + Is not longing for a lover, + For the best of men desirous." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother, + "O my son, my dearest Ahti, + Kyllikki at home is with thee, + Fairest she of all the housewives. 120 + Strange it were to see two women + In a bed beside one husband." + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Kyllikki has sought the village. + Let her go to all the dances, + Let her sleep in all the houses, + Where the village girls are sporting, + Dancing with unbraided tresses." + + Still his mother would dissuade him, + And the aged woman warned him: 130 + "Yet beware, my son, and go not + Unto Pohjola's dread homestead, + Destitute of magic knowledge, + Destitute of all experience, + There to meet the youths of Pohja, + And to conquer Lapland's children! + There the Laplanders will sing you, + And the Turja men will thrust you, + Head in clay, and mouth in charcoal, + With your arms where sparks are flying, 140 + And your hands in glowing embers, + There upon the burning hearthstones." + + Lemminkainen heard and answered: + "Once some sorcerers would enchant me, + Wizards charm, and snakes would blast me. + As three Laplanders attempted + Through the night in time of summer, + On a rock all naked standing, + Wearing neither clothes nor waistband; + Not a rag was twisted round them, 150 + But they got what I could give them, + Like the miserable codfish, + Like the axe on stone that's battered, + Or against the rock the auger, + Or on slippery ice a sabot, + Or like Death in empty houses. + + "Otherwise indeed they threatened, + Otherwise events had happened, + For they wanted to o'erthrow me, + Threatened they would sink me deeply 160 + In the swamp when I was walking, + That in mire I might be sunken, + In the mud my chin pushed downward, + And my beard in filthy places. + But indeed a man they found me, + And they did not greatly fright me, + I myself put forth my magic, + And began my spells to mutter, + Sang the wizards with their arrows, + And the archers with their weapons, 170 + Sorcerers with their knives of iron, + Soothsayers with their pointed weapons, + Under Tuoni's mighty Cataract, + Where the surge is most terrific, + Underneath the highest cataract, + 'Neath the worst of all the whirlpools. + There the sorcerers now may slumber, + There repose beneath their blankets, + Till the grass may spring above them, + Through their heads and caps sprout upward, 180 + Through the arm-pits of the sorcerers, + Piercing through their shoulder-muscles, + While the wizards sleep in soundness, + Sleeping there without protection." + + Still his mother would restrain him, + Hinder Lemminkainen's journey, + Once again her son dissuaded, + And the dame held back the hero. + "Do not go, O do not venture + To that cold and dreary village, 190 + To the gloomy land of Pohja. + There destruction sure awaits you, + Evil waits for thee, unhappy, + Ruin, lively Lemminkainen! + Hadst thou hundred mouths to speak with, + Even so, one could not think it, + Nor that by thy songs of magic + Lapland's sons would be confounded. + For you know not Turja's language, + Not the tongue they speak in Lapland." 200 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + As it chanced, his hair was brushing, + And with greatest neatness brushed it. + To the wall his brush then cast he, + To the stove the comb flung after, + And again he spoke and answered, + In the very words which follow: + "Ruin falls on Lemminkainen, + Evil waits for him unhappy, 210 + When the brush with blood is running, + And the comb with blood is streaming." + + Then went lively Lemminkainen, + To the gloomy land of Pohja, + 'Spite the warnings of his mother, + 'Gainst the aged woman's counsel. + First he armed him, and he girt him. + In his coat of mail he clad him, + With a belt of steel encompassed, + And he spoke the words which follow: 220 + "Stronger feels a man in armour, + In the best of iron mail-coats, + And of steel a magic girdle, + As a wizard 'gainst magicians. + Then no trouble need alarm him, + Nor the greatest evil fright him." + + Then he grasped his sword so trusty, + Took his blade, like flame that glittered, + Which by Hiisi's self was whetted. + And by Jumala was polished. 230 + By his side the hero girt it, + Thrust in sheath with leather lining. + + How shall now the man conceal him, + And the mighty hero hide him? + There a little time he hid him, + And the mighty one concealed him, + 'Neath the beam above the doorway, + By the doorpost of the chamber. + In the courtyard by the hayloft, + By the gate of all the furthest. 240 + + Thus it was the hero hid him + From the sight of all the women, + But such art is not sufficient, + And such caution would not serve him, + For he likewise must protect him + From the heroes of the people, + There where two roads have their parting. + On a blue rock's lofty summit, + And upon the quaking marshes, + Where the waves are swiftly coursing, 250 + Where the waterfall is rushing, + In the winding of the rapids. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Spoke the very words which follow: + "Rise ye up from earth, O swordsmen, + You, the earth's primeval heroes, + From the wells arise, ye warriors, + From the rivers rise, ye bowmen! + With thy dwarfs arise, O woodlands + Forest, come with all thy people, 260 + Mountain-Ancient, with thy forces, + Water-Hiisi, with thy terrors, + Water-Mistress, with thy people, + With thy scouts, O Water-Father, + All ye maidens from the valleys, + Richly robed, among the marshes, + Come ye to protect a hero, + Comrades of a youth most famous, + That the sorcerers' arrows strike not, + Nor the swords of the magicians, 270 + Nor the knife-blades of enchanters, + Nor the weapons of the archers. + + "If this be not yet sufficient, + Still I know of other measures, + And implore the very Highest, + Even Ukko in the heavens, + He of all the clouds the ruler, + Of the scattered clouds conductor. + + "Ukko, thou of Gods the highest, + Aged Father in the heavens, 280 + Thou amidst the clouds who breathest, + Thou amid the air who speakest, + Give me here a sword of fire, + By a sheath of fire protected, + That I may resist misfortune, + And I may avoid destruction, + Overthrow the powers infernal, + Overcome the water-sorcerers, + That all foes that stand before me, + And the foes who stand behind me, 290 + And above me and beside me, + May be forced to own my power. + Crush the sorcerers, with their arrows, + The magicians, with their knife-blades, + And the wizards with their sword-blades, + All the scoundrels with their weapons." + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + From the bush his courser whistled, + From the grass, the gold-maned courser. 300 + Thereupon the horse he harnessed, + In the shafts the fiery courser, + In the sledge himself he seated, + And the sledge began to rattle. + O'er the horse his whip he flourished, + Cracked the whip, and urged him onward, + Started quickly on his journey. + Rocked the sledge, the way grew shorten + And the silver sand was scattered, + And the golden heather crackled. 310 + + Thus he drove one day, a second; + Drove upon the third day likewise, + And at length upon the third day + Came the hero to a village. + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Drove the rattling sledge straight onward + Forth along the furthest pathway. + To the furthest of the houses, + And he asked upon the thresholds + Speaking from behind the window: 320 + "Is there some one in this household + Who can loose my horse's harness, + And can sink the shaft-poles for me, + And can loose the horse's collar?" + + From the floor a child made answer. + And a boy from out the doorway: + "There is no one in this threshold, + Who can loose your horse's harness, + Or can sink the shaft-poles for you. + Or can loose the horse's collar." 330 + + Little troubled Lemminkainen, + O'er the horse his whip he brandished, + With the beaded whip he smote him, + Drove the rattling sledge straight onward, + On the midmost of the pathways + To the midmost of the houses, + And he asked upon the threshold, + And beneath the eaves he shouted: + "Is there no one in this household + Who will hold the horse-reins for me, 340 + And the chest-bands will unloosen, + That the foaming steed may rest him?" + + From the stove a crone responded + From the stove-bench cried a gossip: + "There are plenty in this household + Who can hold the horse-reins for you, + And the chest-bands can unloosen, + And can sink the shaft-poles for you. + Perhaps ten men may be sufficient. + Or a hundred If you need them, 350 + Who would raise their sticks against you, + Give you, too, a beast of burden, + And would drive you homeward, rascal, + To your country, wretched creature, + To the household of your father, + To the dwelling of your mother, + To the gateway of your brother, + To the threshold of your sister, + Ere this very day is ended, + Ere the sun has reached its setting." 360 + + Little heeded Lemminkainen, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "May they shoot the crone, and club her, + On her pointed chin, and kill her." + Then again he hurried onward, + Thundering on upon his journey, + On the highest of the pathways, + To the highest of the houses. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Reached the house to which he journeyed, 370 + And he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in thiswise: + "Stop the barker's mouth, O Hiisi, + And the dog's jaws close, O Lempo, + And his mouth securely muzzle, + That his gagged teeth may be harmless, + That he may not bark a warning + When a man is passing by him." + + As he came into the courtyard, + On the ground he slashed his whiplash, 380 + From the spot a cloud rose upward, + In the cloud a dwarf was standing, + And he quickly loosed the chest-bands, + And the shafts he then let downward. + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Listened with his ears attentive + But no person there observed him, + So that no one present knew it. + Out of doors he heard a singing, + Through the moss he heard them speaking, 390 + Through the walls heard music playing, + Through the shutters heard a singing. + + In the house he cast his glances, + Gazed into the room in secret, + And the house was full of wizards, + And the benches full of singers, + By the walls there sat musicians. + Seers were sitting in the doorway, + On the upper benches sorcerers, + By the hearth were soothsayers seated, 400 + There a Lapland bard was singing, + Hoarsely singing songs of Hiisi. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Thought it wise to change his figure, + To another shape transformed him, + Left his hiding place, and entered, + Thrust himself into the chamber, + And he spoke the words which follow; + "Fine a song may be when ended, + Grandest are the shortest verses, 410 + Wisdom better when unspoken, + Than in midmost interrupted." + + Then came Pohjola's old Mistress, + On the floor advancing swiftly, + Till she reached the chamber's middle, + And she spoke these words in answer: + "Once there was a dog among us, + And a shaggy iron-haired puppy, + Eating flesh, of bones a biter, + One who licked the blood when freshest. 420 + Who among mankind may you be, + Who among the list of heroes, + Boldly thus the house to enter, + Pushing right into the chamber, + Yet the dogs have never heard you, + Nor have warned us with their barking?" + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Surely I have not come hither, + Void of art and void of knowledge, + Void of strength and void of cunning, 430 + Taught not magic by my father. + And without my parents' counsel + That the dogs should now devour me, + And the barkers should attack me. + + "But it was my mother washed me, + When a boy both small and slender, + Three times in the nights of summer. + Nine times in the nights of autumn, + And she taught me all the pathways, + And the knowledge of all countries, 440 + And at home sang songs of magic, + Likewise too in foreign countries." + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Soon began his songs of magics + All at once began his singing, + Fire flashed from his fur-cloak's borders, + And his eyes with flame were shining, + With the songs of Lemminkainen, + As he sang his spells of magic. 450 + + Sang the very best of singers + To the worst of all the singers, + And he fed their mouths with pebbles. + And he piled up rocks above them. + On the best of all the singers, + And most skilful of magicians. + + Then he sang the men thereafter + Both to one side and the other, + To the plains, all bare and treeless. + To the lands, unploughed for ever, 460 + To the ponds, devoid of fishes, + Where no perch has ever wandered, + To the dreadful falls of Rutja, + And amid the roaring whirlpools, + Underneath the foaming river, + To the rocks beneath the cataract, + There to burn as if 'mid fire, + And to scatter sparks around them. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Sang his songs against the swordsmen. 470 + Sang the heroes with their weapons, + Sang the young men, sang the old men, + And the men of age between them, + And his songs spared one man only, + And he was a wicked cowherd. + Old, with eyes both closed and sightless. + + Markahattu then, the cowherd, + Spoke the very words which follow: + "O thou lively son of Lempi, + Thou hast banned the young and old men, 480 + Banned the men of age between them, + Wherefore hast not banned me likewise?" + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Therefore 'tis that I have spared thee, + That thou dost appear so wretched, + Pitiful without my magic. + In the days when thou wast younger, + Thou wast worst of all the cowherds, + Hast destroyed thy mother's children, + And disgraced thy very sister, 490 + All the horses hast thou crippled, + All the foals hast thou outwearied, + In the swamps or stony places, + Plashing through the muddy waters." + + Markahattu then, the cowherd, + Greatly vexed, and greatly angry, + Through the open door went quickly, + Through the yard to open country, + Ran to Tuonela's deep river, + To the dreadful river's whirlpool, 500 + Waited there for Kaukomieli, + Waited there for Lemminkainen, + Till on his return from Pohja, + He should make his journey homeward. + + + + +RUNO XIII.--HIISI'S ELK + + +_Argument_ + +Lemminkainen asks the old woman of Pohja for her daughter, but she +demands that he should first capture the Elk of Hiisi on snowshoes +(1-30). Lemminkainen starts off in high spirits to hunt the elk, but it +escapes, and he breaks his snowshoes and spear (31-270). + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Said to Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Give me, old one, now your maiden, + Bring me here your lovely daughter, + She the best of all among them, + She the tallest of the maidens." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Answer in the words which follow: + "Nay, I will not give my maiden, + And you shall not have my daughter, 10 + Not the best or worst among them, + Not the tallest, not the shortest, + For you have a wife already, + Long the mistress of your household." + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Kylli in the town lies fettered, + At the steps before the village, + By the gate where strangers enter, + So a better wife I wish for, + Therefore give me now your daughter, 20 + She the fairest of your daughters, + Lovely with unbraided tresses." + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Never will I give my daughter + To a vain and worthless fellow, + To a hero good for nothing. + Therefore you may woo my daughter, + Win the far-famed flower-crowned maiden, + If you hunt the elk on snowshoes, + In the distant field of Hiisi." 30 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Fixed the point upon his javelin. + And his bowstring made of sinew, + And with bone he tipped his arrows, + And he said the words which follow: + "Now my javelin I have pointed, + All my shafts with bone have pointed, + And have strung my bow with sinew, + Not the snowshoe left put forward, + Nor the right one stamped behind it." 40 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Pondered deeply and reflected + How he should procure his snowshoes, + How they best should be constructed. + Then to Kauppi's house he hastened, + And to Lyylikki's forge hurried. + "O thou wisest Vuojalainen, + Thou the handsome Lapland Kauppi, + Make me snowshoes that will suit me, + Fitted with the finest leather; 50 + I must chase the elk of Hiisi, + In the distant field of Hiisi." + + Lyylikki then spoke as follows, + Kauppi gave him ready answer: + "Vainly goest thou, Lemminkainen, + Forth to hunt the elk of Hiisi; + For a piece of rotten timber, + Only will reward your labour." + + Little troubled Lemminkainen, + And he spoke the words which follow: 60 + "Make a snowshoe left to run with, + And a right one to put forward! + I must chase the elk on snowshoes, + In the distant field of Hiisi." + + Lyylikki, the smith of snowshoes, + Kauppi, maker of the snowshoes, + In the autumn shaped the left one, + In the winter carved the right one, + And he fixed the frames on one day, + Fixed the rings upon another. 70 + + Now the left was fit to run with, + And the right for wearing ready, + And the frames were now completed, + And the rings were also fitted. + Frames he lined with skins of otter, + And the rings with ruddy foxskin. + + Then he smeared with grease the snowshoes, + Smeared them with the fat of reindeer, + And himself reflected deeply, + And he spoke the words which follow: 80 + "Can you, in this youthful frolic, + You, a young and untried hero, + Forward glide upon the left shoe, + And push forward with the right one?" + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + Answered him the ruddy rascal: + "Yes, upon this youthful frolic + Of a young and untried hero, + I can glide upon the left shoe, + And push forward with the right one." 90 + + On his back he bound his quiver. + And his new bow on his shoulder, + In his hands his pole grasped firmly, + On the left shoe glided forward, + And pushed onward with the right one, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "In God's world may there be nothing, + Underneath the arch of heaven, + In the forest to be hunted, + Not a single four-foot runner, 100 + Which may not be overtaken, + And can easily be captured + Thus by Kaleva's son with snowshoes, + And with Lemminkainen's snowshoes." + + But the boast was heard by Hiisi, + And by Juutas comprehended; + And an elk was formed by Hiisi, + And a reindeer formed by Juutas, + With a head of rotten timber, + Horns composed of willow-branches, 110 + Feet of ropes the swamps which border, + Shins of sticks from out the marshes; + And his back was formed of fence-stakes, + Sinews formed of dryest grass-stalks, + Eyes of water-lily flowers, + Ears of leaves of water-lily, + And his hide was formed of pine-bark, + And his flesh of rotten timber. + + Hiisi now the elk instructed, + Thus he spoke unto the reindeer: 120 + "Now rush forth thou elk of Hiisi, + On thy legs, O noble creature, + To the breeding-place of reindeer, + Grassy plains of Lapland's children, + Till the snowshoe-men are sweating; + Most of all, this Lemminkainen!" + + Then rushed forth the elk of Hiisi, + Sped away the fleeing reindeer, + Rushing past the barns of Pohja, + To the plains of Lapland's children, 130 + In the house the tubs kicked over, + On the fire upset the kettles, + Threw the meat among the ashes, + Spilt the soup among the cinders. + + Then arose a great commotion, + On the plains of Lapland's children, + For the Lapland dogs were barking, + And the Lapland children crying, + And the Lapland women laughing, + And the other people grumbling. 140 + + He, the lively Lemminkainen, + Chased the elk upon his snowshoes, + Glided o'er the land and marshes, + O'er the open wastes he glided. + Fire was crackling from his snowshoes, + From his staff's end smoke ascending, + But as yet the elk he saw not; + Could not see it; could not hear it. + + O'er the hills and dales he glided, + Through the lands beyond the ocean, 150 + Over all the wastes of Hiisi, + Over all the heaths of Kalma, + And before the mouth of Surma, + And behind the house of Kalma. + Surma's mouth was quickly opened, + Down was bowed the head of Kalma, + That he thus might seize the hero, + And might swallow Lemminkainen; + But he tried, and failed to reach him, + Failed completely in his effort. 160 + + O'er all lands he had not skated, + Nor had reached the desert's borders, + In the furthest bounds of Pohja, + In the distant realms of Lapland, + So he skated further onward, + Till he reached the desert's borders. + + When he reached this distant region, + Then he heard a great commotion, + In the furthest bounds of Pohja, + On the plains of Lapland's children. 170 + And he heard the dogs were barking, + And the Lapland children crying, + And the Lapland women laughing, + And the other Lapps were grumbling. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Skated on in that direction, + Where he heard the dogs were barking + On the plains of Lapland's children; + And he said on his arrival, + And he asked them on his coming: 180 + "Wherefore are the women laughing, + Women laughing, children crying, + And the older folks lamenting, + And the grey dogs all are barking?" + + "Therefore are the women laughing, + Women laughing, children crying, + And the older folks lamenting, + And the grey dogs all are barking. + Here has charged the elk of Hiisi, + With its hoofs all cleft and polished, 190 + In the house the tubs kicked over, + On the fire upset the kettles, + Shaken out the soup within them, + Spilt it all among the ashes." + + Thereupon the ruddy rascal, + He the lively Lemminkainen, + Struck his left shoe in the snowdrift, + Like an adder in the meadow, + Pushed his staff of pinewood forward, + As it were a living serpent, 200 + And he said as he was gliding, + Grasping firm the pole he carried: + "Let the men who live in Lapland, + Help me all to bring the elk home; + And let all the Lapland women + Set to work to wash the kettles; + And let all the Lapland children + Hasten forth to gather splinters; + And let all the Lapland kettles + Help to cook the elk when captured." 210 + + Then he poised himself and balanced, + Forward pushed, his strength exerting, + And the first time he shot forward, + From before their eyes he vanished. + Once again he speeded onward, + And they could no longer hear him, + But the third time he rushed onward, + Then he reached the elk of Hiisi. + Then he took a pole of maple, + And he made a birchen collar; 220 + Hiisi's elk he tethered with it, + In a pen of oak he placed it. + "Stand thou there, O elk of Hiisi, + Here remain, O nimble reindeer!" + + Then upon the back he stroked it, + Patted it upon the belly. + "Would that I awhile might tarry, + And might sleep awhile and rest me, + Here beside a youthful maiden, + With a dove of blooming beauty." 230 + + Then did Hiisi's elk grow furious, + And the reindeer kicked out wildly, + And it spoke the words which follow: + "Lempo's self shall reckon with you, + If you sleep beside a maiden, + And beside a girl should tarry." + + Then it gave a mighty struggle, + And it snapped the birchen collar, + And it broke the pole of maple, + And the pen of oak burst open, 240 + And began to hurry forwards, + And the elk rushed wildly onwards, + Over land and over marshes, + Over slopes o'ergrown with bushes, + Till the eyes no more could see it, + And the ears no longer hear it. + + Thereupon the ruddy rascal + Grew both sorrowful and angry, + Very vexed and very angry, + And would chase the elk of Hiisi, 250 + But as he was rushing forward, + In a hole he broke his left shoe, + And his snowshoe fell to pieces, + On the ground he broke the right one, + Broke the tips from off his snowshoes, + And the frames across the joinings. + While rushed on the elk of Hiisi, + Till its head he saw no longer. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + Bowed his head in deep depression, 260 + Gazed upon the broken snowshoes, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Nevermore in all his lifetime + May another hunter venture + Confidently to the forest, + Chasing Hiisi's elk on snowshoes! + Since I went, O me unhappy, + And have spoilt the best of snowshoes, + And the splendid frames have shattered, + And my spearpoint likewise broken." 270 + + + + +RUNO XIV.--LEMMINKAINEN'S DEATH + + +_Argument_ + +Lemminkainen invokes the forest deities, and at length succeeds in +capturing the elk, and brings it to Pohjola (1-270). Another task is +given him, to bridle the fire-breathing steed of Hiisi. He bridles it +and brings it to Pohjola (271-372). A third task is assigned him, to +shoot a swan on the river of Tuonela, Lemminkainen comes to the river, +but the despised cowherd, who is lying in wait for him, kills him, and +casts his body into the cataract of Tuoni. The son of Tuoni then cuts +his body to pieces (373-460). + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Deeply pondered and reflected, + On the path that he should follow, + Whither he should turn his footsteps, + Should he leave the elk of Hiisi, + And direct his journey homewards, + Should he make another effort. + And pursue the chase on snowshoes, + With the Forest-Queen's permission, + And the favour of the wood-nymphs? 10 + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: + "Ukko, thou of Gods the highest, + Gracious Father in the heavens, + Make me now two better snowshoes, + Leather snowshoes fit for sliding, + That I glide upon them swiftly + Over land and over marshes, + Glide throughout the land of Hiisi, + And across the heaths of Pohja, 20 + There to chase the elk of Hiisi, + And to catch the nimble reindeer. + + "In the wood alone I wander, + Toil without another hero, + Through the pathways of Tapiola, + And beside the home of Tapio. + Welcome, wooded slopes and mountains, + Welcome to the rustling pinewoods, + Welcome to the grey head aspens, + And to all who greet me, welcome! 30 + + "Be propitious wood and thicket, + Gracious Tapio, do thou aid me, + Bring the hero to the islands, + To the hills in safety lead him, + Where he can attain the quarry, + Whence he may bring back the booty. + + "Nyyrikki, O son of Tapio, + Thou the mighty red-capped hero, + Blaze the path across the country, + And erect me wooden guide-posts, 40 + That I trace this evil pathway, + And pursue the rightful roadway, + While I seek my destined quarry, + And the booty I am seeking. + + "Mielikki, the forest's mistress, + Thou the mighty, fair-faced mother! + Let thy gold now wander onward, + And thy silver set in motion, + Right before the man who seeks it, + On the pathway of the seeker. 50 + + "Take the keys of gold, suspended + By the ring that hangs beside thee, + Open thou the stores of Tapio, + And his castle in the forest, + During this my hunting-season, + While I hunt in distant regions. + + "If thyself thou wilt not trouble, + Strictly charge thy little maidens, + Send thy serving maidens to me, + Give thy orders to thy servants! 60 + If thou canst not be my hostess, + Do thou not forbid thy maidens, + For thou hast a hundred maidens, + And a thousand at thy orders, + Those on all thy herds attending, + Likewise all thy game protecting. + + "Little maiden of the forest, + Tapio's girl, with mouth of honey, + Play upon thy flute of honey, + Whistle through thy pipe of honey, 70 + In thy noble mistress' hearing, + Gracious queen of all the forest, + That she soon may hear the music, + And from her repose may rouse her, + For she does not hear at present, + And she but awakens rarely, + Though I supplicate for ever, + With my golden tongue imploring!" + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Wandered on, but found no booty, 80 + Glided through the plains and marshes, + Glided through the trackless forests, + Where has Jumala his soot-hills, + To the charcoal heaths of Hiisi. + Thus he skated one day, two days, + And at length upon the third day, + Came he to a lofty mountain, + Where he climbed a rock stupendous, + And he turned his eyes to north-west, + To the north across the marshes, 90 + And he saw the farms of Tapio, + With the doors all golden shining, + To the north, across the marshes, + On the slope among the thickets. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Quickly to the spot approaching, + Pushed his way through all obstructions, + Under Tapio's very windows. + And he looked while stooping forward, + In the sixth among the windows. 100 + There were resting game-dispensers, + Matrons of the woods reposing, + All were in their work-day garments, + And with filthy rags were covered. + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "Wherefore, Mistress of the Forest, + Dost thou wear thy work-day garments, + Dirty ragged thresher's garments? + You are very black to gaze on, + And your whole appearance dreadful, 110 + For your breast is most disgusting, + And your form is very bloated. + + "When before I tracked the forests, + I beheld three castles standing. + One was wooden, one a bone one, + And the third of stone was builded. + There were six bright golden windows + On the sides of every castle, + And if then I gazed within them, + 'Neath the wall as I was standing, 120 + Saw the lord of Tapio's household, + And the mistress of his household; + Tellervo, the maid of Tapio, + And the rest of Tapio's household, + All in rustling golden garments, + And parading there in silver, + She herself, the Forest-Mistress, + Gracious Mistress of the Forest, + On her wrists were golden bracelets, + Golden rings upon her fingers, 130 + On her head a golden head-dress, + And her hair adorned with ducats; + In her ears were golden earrings, + Finest beads her neck encircling. + + "Gracious Mistress of the Forest, + Of sweet Metsola the matron! + Cast away thy hay-shoes from thee, + And discard thy shoes of birchbark, + Cast thou off thy threshing garments, + And thy wretched work-day garments, 140 + Don thy garments of good fortune, + And thy blouse for game-dispensing, + In the days I track the forest, + Seeking for a hunter's booty. + Long and wearily I wander, + Wearily I track my pathway, + Yet I wander here for nothing, + All the time without a quarry. + If you do not grant me booty, + Nor reward me for my labour, 150 + Long and sad will be the evening, + Long the day when game is wanting. + + "Aged greybeard of the forest, + With thy pine-leaf hat and moss-cloak, + Dress thou now the woods in linen, + And the wilds a cloth throw over. + All the aspens robe in greyness, + And the alders robe in beauty, + Clothe the pine-trees all in silver, + And with gold adorn the fir-trees. 160 + Aged pine-trees belt with copper, + Belt the fir-trees all with silver, + Birch-trees with their golden blossoms, + And their trunks with gold adornments. + Make it as in former seasons + Even when thy days were better, + When the fir-shoots shone in moonlight, + And the pine-boughs in the sunlight, + When the wood was sweet with honey, + And the blue wastes flowed with honey, 170 + Smelt like malt the heathlands' borders, + From the very swamps ran butter. + + "Forest-maiden, gracious virgin, + Tuulikki, O Tapio's daughter! + Drive the game in this direction, + Out into the open heathland. + If it runs with heavy footsteps, + Or is lazy in its running, + Take a switch from out the bushes, + Or a birch-twig from the valley, 180 + Switch the game upon the haunches, + And upon the flanks, O whip it, + Drive it swiftly on before you, + Make it hasten quickly onward, + To the man who here awaits it, + In the pathway of the hunter. + + "If the game comes on the footpath, + Drive it forward to the hero, + Do thou put thy hands together, + And on both sides do thou guide it, 190 + That the game may not escape me, + Rushing back in wrong direction. + If the game should seek to fly me, + Rushing in the wrong direction, + Seize its ear, and drag it forward + By the horns upon the pathway. + + "If there's brushwood on the pathway, + Drive it to the pathway's edges; + If a tree should block the pathway, + Then the tree-trunk break asunder. 200 + + "If a fence obstructs the pathway, + Thrust the fence aside before you, + Take five withes to hold it backward, + And seven posts whereon to bind them. + + "If a river runs before thee, + Or a brook should cross the pathway, + Build thou then a bridge all silken, + With a red cloth for a gateway; + Drive the game by narrow pathways, + And across the quaking marshes, 210 + Over Pohjola's wide rivers, + O'er the waterfalls all foaming. + + "Master of the house of Tapio, + Mistress of the house of Tapio; + Aged greybeard of the forest, + King of all the golden forest; + Mimerkki, the forest's mistress, + Fair dispenser of its treasures, + Blue-robed woman of the bushes, + Mistress of the swamps, red-stockinged, 220 + Come, with me thy gold to barter, + Come, with me to change thy silver. + I have gold as old as moonlight, + Silver old as is the sunlight, + Which I won in battle-tumult, + In the contest of the heroes, + Useful in my purse I found it, + Where it jingled in the darkness; + If thy gold thou wilt not barter, + Perhaps thou wilt exchange thy silver." 230 + + Thus the lively Lemminkainen + For a week on snowshoes glided, + Sang a song throughout the forest, + There among the depths of jungle, + And appeased the forest's mistress, + And the forest's master likewise, + And delighted all the maidens, + Pleasing thus the girls of Tapio. + Then they hunted and drove onward + From its lair the elk of Hiisi, 240 + Past the wooded hills of Tapio, + Past the bounds of Hiisi's mountain, + To the man who waited for it, + To the sorcerer in his ambush. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Lifted his lasso, and threw it + O'er the elk of Hiisi's shoulders, + Round the camel's neck he threw it, + That it should not kick in fury, + When upon its back he stroked it. 250 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Spoke aloud the words which follow: + "Lord of woods, of earth the master, + Fairest creature of the heathlands; + Mielikki, the forest's mistress, + Loveliest of the game-dispensers! + Come to take the gold I promised, + Come ye now to choose the silver, + On the ground lay down your linen, + Spreading out of flax the finest, 260 + Underneath the gold that glitters, + Underneath the shining silver, + That upon the ground it fall not, + Nor among the dirt is scattered." + + Then to Pohjola he journeyed, + And he said on his arrival: + "I have chased the elk of Hiisi + On the distant plains of Hiisi. + Give me now, old dame, your daughter, + Give the youthful bride I seek for." 270 + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress + Heard his words, and then made answer: + "I will only give my daughter, + Give the youthful bride you seek for, + If you rein the mighty gelding, + He the chestnut steed of Hiisi, + He the foaming foal of Hiisi, + On the bounds of Hiisi's meadow." + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Took at once a golden bridle, 280 + Took a halter all of silver, + And he went to seek the courser, + Went to seek the yellow-maned one, + On the bounds of Hiisi's meadow. + + Then he hastened on his journey, + On his way went swiftly forward, + Through the green and open meadows, + To the sacred field beyond them, + And he sought there for the courser, + Seeking for the yellow-maned one. 290 + At his belt the bit he carried, + And the harness on his shoulder. + + Thus he sought one day, a second, + And at length upon the third day + Came he to a lofty mountain, + And upon a rock he clambered. + And he turned his eyes to eastward, + And he turned his head to sunwards. + On the sand he saw the courser, + 'Mid the firs the yellow-maned one. 300 + From his hair the flame was flashing, + From his mane the smoke was rising. + + Thereupon prayed Lemminkainen: + "Ukko, thou of Gods the highest, + Ukko, thou of clouds the leader, + Of the scattered clouds conductor, + Open now thy clefts in heaven, + And in all the sky thy windows, + Let the iron hail fall downwards, + Send thou down the frozen masses, 310 + On the mane of that good courser, + On the back of Hiisi's courser." + + Ukko then, the great Creator, + Jumala 'mid clouds exalted, + Heard and rent the air asunder, + Clove in twain the vault of heaven, + Scattered ice, and scattered iceblocks, + Scattered down the iron hailstones, + Smaller than a horse's head is, + Larger than a head of man is, 320 + On the mane of that good courser, + On the back of Hiisi's courser. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + Forward stepped to gaze about him, + And advanced for observation, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Hiitola's most mighty courser, + Mountain foal, with mane all foam-flecked, + Give me now thy golden muzzle, + Stretch thou forth thy head of silver, 330 + Push it in the golden bridle, + With the bit of shining silver. + I will never treat you badly, + And I will not drive you harshly, + And our way is but a short one, + And 'tis but a little journey, + Unto Pohjola's bleak homestead, + To my cruel foster-mother. + With a rope I will not flog you, + With a switch I will not drive you, 340 + But with silken cords will lead you, + With a strip of cloth will drive you." + + Then the chestnut horse of Hiisi, + Hiisi's horse, with mane all foam-flecked + Forward stretched his golden muzzle, + Forward reached his head of silver, + To receive the golden bridle, + With the bit of shining silver. + + Thus did lively Lemminkainen + Bridle Hiisi's mighty courser, 350 + In his mouth the bit adjusted, + On his silver head the bridle, + On his broad back then he mounted, + On the back of that good courser. + + O'er the horse his whip he brandished, + With a willow switch he struck him, + And a little way he journeyed + Hasting onward through the mountains, + Through the mountains to the northward. + Over all the snow-clad mountains, 360 + Unto Pohjola's bleak homestead. + From the yard the hall he entered, + And he said on his arrival, + Soon as Pohjola he entered: + "I have reined the mighty courser, + Brought the foal of Hiisi bridled, + From the green and open meadows, + And the sacred field beyond them, + And I tracked the elk on snowshoes, + On the distant plains of Hiisi. 370 + Give me now, old dame, your daughter, + Give the youthful bride I seek for." + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answered in the words which follow: + "I will only give my daughter, + Give the youthful bride you seek for, + If the river-swan you shoot me, + Shoot the great bird on the river. + There on Tuoni's murky river, + In the sacred river's whirlpool, 380 + Only at a single trial, + Using but a single arrow." + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Went and took his twanging crossbow, + Went away to seek the Long-neck, + Forth to Tuoni's murky river, + Down in Manala's abysses. + + On with rapid steps he hastened, + And he went with trampling footsteps, 390 + Unto Tuonela's broad river, + To the sacred river's whirlpool, + 'Neath his arm a handsome crossbow, + On his back his well-stored quiver. + + Markahattu then, the cowherd, + Pohjola's old sightless greybeard, + There by Tuonela's broad river, + By the sacred river's whirlpool, + Long had lurked, and long had waited, + There for Lemminkainen's coming. 400 + + And at length one day it happened, + Came the lively Lemminkainen + Hasting on, and swift approaching + Unto Tuonela's deep river, + To the cataract most terrific, + To the sacred river's whirlpool. + + From the waves he sent a serpent, + Like a reed from out the billows; + Through the hero's heart he hurled it, + And through Lemminkainen's liver. 410 + Through the arm-pit left it smote him, + Through the shoulder right it struck him. + + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Felt himself severely wounded, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "I have acted most unwisely, + That I asked not information + From my mother, she who bore me. + Two words only were sufficient, + Three at most might perhaps be needed, 420 + How to act, and live still longer, + After this day's great misfortune. + Charm I cannot water-serpents, + Nor of reeds I know the magic. + + "O my mother who hast borne me, + And hast nurtured me in sorrow, + Would that thou might'st know, and hasten + To thy son, who lies in anguish. + Surely thou would'st hasten hither, + To my aid thou then would'st hasten, 430 + To thy hapless son's assistance, + At the point of death now lying, + For indeed too young I slumber, + And I die while still so cheerful." + + Then did Pohjola's blind greybeard, + Markahattu, he the cowherd, + Fling the lively Lemminkainen, + Casting Kaleva's own offspring + Into Tuoni's murky river, + In the worst of all the whirlpools. 440 + + Floated lively Lemminkainen, + Down the thundering cataract floated, + Down the rushing stream he floated, + Unto Tuonela's dread dwelling. + + Then the bloodstained son of Tuoni + Drew his sword, and smote the hero, + With his gleaming blade he hewed him, + While it shed a stream of flashes, + And he hewed him in five fragments, + And in pieces eight he hewed him, 450 + Then in Tuonela's stream cast them, + Where are Manala's abysses. + "Thou may'st toss about for ever, + With thy crossbow and thy arrows, + Shooting swans upon the river, + Water-birds upon its borders!" + + Thus did Lemminkainen perish, + Perished thus the dauntless suitor, + Down in Tuoni's murky river, + Down in Manala's abysses. 460 + + + + +RUNO XV.--LEMMINKAINEN'S RECOVERY AND RETURN HOME + + +_Argument_ + +One day blood begins to trickle from the hair-brush at Lemminkainen's +home, and his mother at once perceives that death has overtaken her son. +She hastens to Pohjola and inquires of Louhi what has become of him +(1-100). The Mistress of Pohjola at length tells her on what errand she +has sent him, and the sun gives her full information of the manner of +Lemminkainen's death (101-194). Lemminkainen's mother goes with a long +rake in her hand under the cataract of Tuoni, and rakes the water till +she has found all the fragments of her son's body, which she joins +together, and succeeds in restoring Lemminkainen to life by charms and +magic salves (195-554). Lemminkainen then relates how he perished in the +river of Tuonela, and returns home with his mother (555-650). + + Lemminkainen's tender mother + In her home was always thinking, + "Where has Lemminkainen wandered, + Whereabouts is Kauko roaming, + For I do not hear him coming + From his world-extended journey?" + + Ah, the hapless mother knew not, + Nor the hapless one imagined, + Where her own flesh now was floating, + Where her own blood now was flowing; 10 + If he tracked the fir-clad mountains, + Or among the heaths was roaming, + Or upon a lake was floating, + Out upon the foaming billows, + Or in some terrific combat, + In the most tremendous tumult, + With his legs with blood bespattered, + To the knees with blood all crimsoned. + + Kyllikki, the lovely housewife, + Wandered round and gazed about her, 20 + Through the home of Lemminkainen, + And through Kaukomieli's homestead; + On the comb she looked at evening, + On the brush she looked at morning, + And at length one day it happened, + In the early morning hours, + Blood from out the comb was oozing, + From the brush was gore distilling. + + Kyllikki, the lovely housewife, + Uttered then the words which follow: 30 + "Lo, my husband has departed, + And my handsome Kauko wandered + In a country void of houses, + And throughout some trackless desert. + Blood from out the comb is oozing, + Gore is from the brush distilling." + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother + See herself the comb was bleeding, + And began to weep with sorrow. + "O alas, my day is wretched, 40 + And my life is most unhappy, + For my son has met misfortune, + And my child all unprotected, + On an evil day was nurtured. + On the poor lad came destruction, + Lost is darling Lemminkainen, + From the comb the blood is trickling, + And the brush with blood is dripping." + + In her hands her skirt she gathered, + With her arms her dress she lifted, 50 + And at once commenced her journey, + Hurried on upon her journey. + Mountains thundered 'neath her footsteps, + Valleys rose and hills were levelled, + And the high ground sank before her, + And the low ground rose before her. + + Thus to Pohjola she journeyed, + Asking where her son had wandered, + And she asked in words which follow: + "Tell me, Pohjola's old Mistress, 60 + Whither sent you Lemminkainen, + Whither has my son departed?" + + Louhi, Pohjola's old Mistress, + Then replied in words which follow: + "Of your son I know no tidings, + Where he went, or where he vanished. + In his sledge I yoked a stallion, + Chose him out a fiery courser. + Perhaps he sank in ice when rotten, + O'er the frozen lake when driving, 70 + Or among the wolves has fallen, + Or some dreadful bear devoured him." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother, + "This indeed is shameless lying, + For no wolf would touch my offspring. + Not a bear touch Lemminkainen! + Wolves he'd crush between his fingers, + Bears with naked hands would master. + If you will not truly tell me, + How you treated Lemminkainen, 80 + I the malthouse doors will shatter, + Break the hinges of the Sampo." + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "I have fed the man profusely, + And I gave him drink in plenty, + Till he was most fully sated. + In a boat's prow then I placed him, + That he thus should shoot the rapids, + But I really cannot tell you + What befel the wretched creature; 90 + In the wildly foaming torrent, + In the tumult of the whirlpool." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother, + "This indeed is shameless lying. + Tell me now the truth exactly, + Make an end of all your lying, + Whither sent you Lemminkainen, + Where has Kaleva's son perished? + Or most certain death awaits you, + And you die upon the instant." 100 + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Now at length I'll tell you truly. + Forth to chase the elks I sent him, + And to struggle with the monsters, + And the mighty beasts to bridle, + And to put the foals in harness. + Then I sent him forth swan-hunting, + Seeking for the bird so sacred, + But I really cannot tell you + If misfortune came upon him, 110 + Or what hindrance he encountered. + Nought I heard of his returning, + For the bride that he demanded, + When he came to woo my daughter." + + Then the mother sought the strayed one, + Dreading what mischance had happened, + Like a wolf she tracked the marshes, + Like a bear the wastes she traversed, + Like an otter swam the waters, + Badger-like the plains she traversed, 120 + Passed the headlands like a hedgehog, + Like a hare along the lakeshores, + Pushed the rocks from out her pathway, + From the slopes bent down the tree-trunks, + Thrust the shrubs beside her pathway, + From her track she cast the branches. + + Long she vainly sought the strayed one, + Long she sought, but found him never. + Of her son the trees she questioned, + For the lost one ever seeking. 130 + Said a tree, then sighed a pine-tree, + And an oak made answer wisely: + "I myself have also sorrows, + For your son I cannot trouble, + For my lot's indeed a hard one, + And an evil day awaits me, + For they split me into splinters, + And they chop me into faggots, + In the kiln that I may perish, + Or they fell me in the clearing." 140 + + Long she vainly sought the strayed one, + Long she sought, but found him never, + And whene'er she crossed a pathway, + Then she bowed herself before it. + "O thou path whom God created, + Hast thou seen my son pass over; + Hast thou seen my golden apple, + Hast thou seen my staff of silver?" + + But the path made answer wisely, + And it spoke and gave her answer: 150 + "I myself have also sorrows, + For your son I cannot trouble, + For my lot's indeed a hard one, + And an evil day awaits me. + All the dogs go leaping o'er me, + And the horsemen gallop o'er me, + And the shoes walk heavy on me, + And the heels press hardly on me." + + Long she vainly sought the strayed one, + Long she sought, but found him never. 160 + Met the moon upon her pathway, + And before the moon she bowed her. + "Golden moon, whom God created, + Hast thou seen my son pass by you; + Hast thou seen my golden apple, + Hast thou seen my staff of silver?" + + Then the moon whom God created, + Made a full and prudent answer: + "I myself have many sorrows, + For your son I cannot trouble, 170 + For my lot's indeed a hard one, + And an evil day awaits me, + Wandering lonely in the night-time, + In the frost for ever shining, + In the winter keeping vigil, + But in time of summer waning." + + Long she vainly sought the strayed one, + Long she sought, but found him never, + Met the sun upon her pathway, + And before the sun she bowed her. 180 + + "O thou sun, whom God created, + Hast thou seen my son pass by you, + Hast thou seen my golden apple, + Hast thou seen my staff of silver?" + + And the sun knew all about it, + And the sun made answer plainly: + "There has gone your son unhappy, + He has fallen and has perished, + Down in Tuoni's murky river, + Manala's primeval river, 190 + There in the tremendous cataract, + Where the torrent rushes downward, + There on Tuonela's dark frontier, + There in Manala's deep valleys." + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother, + Break out suddenly in weeping. + To the craftsman's forge she wended: + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Thou hast worked before, and yestreen. + On this very day O forge me, 200 + Forge a rake with copper handle, + Let the teeth of steel be fashioned, + Teeth in length a hundred fathoms, + And of fathoms five the handle." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Forged a rake with copper handle, + And the teeth of steel he fashioned, + Teeth in length a hundred fathoms, + And of fathoms five the handle. 210 + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother + Take the mighty rake of iron, + And she rushed to Tuoni's river, + To the sun her prayer addressing: + "O thou sun whom God created, + Brilliant work of the Creator! + Shine an hour with heat excessive, + Shine again with sultry shimmering, + And again with utmost vigour. + Lull to sleep the race of evil, 220 + And in Manala the strong ones, + Weary out the power of Tuoni!" + + Then the sun whom God created, + Shining work of the Creator, + Stooped upon a crooked birch-tree, + Sank upon a crooked alder, + Shone an hour with heat excessive, + Shone again with sultry shimmering, + And again with utmost vigour, + Lulled to sleep the race of evil, 230 + And in Manala the strong ones. + Slept the young on sword-hilt resting, + And the old folks staff-supported, + And the spear-men middle-aged. + Then again he hastened upward, + Sought again the heights of heaven, + Sought again his former station, + To his first abode soared upward. + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother + Take the mighty rake of iron, 240 + And to seek her son was raking + All amid the raging cataract, + Through the fiercely rushing torrent, + And she raked, yet found she nothing. + + Then she went and sought him deeper, + Ever deeper in the water, + Stocking-deep into the water, + Standing waist-deep in the water. + + Thus she sought her son by raking + All the length of Tuoni's river, 250 + And she raked against the current, + Once and twice she raked the river, + And his shirt at length discovered, + Found the shirt of him unhappy, + And she raked again a third time, + And she found his hat and stockings, + Found his stockings, greatly sorrowing, + Found his hat, with heart-wrung anguish. + + Then she waded ever deeper, + Down in Manala's abysses, 260 + Raked once more along the river, + Raked again across the river, + And obliquely through the water, + And at length upon the third time, + Up she drew a lifeless carcass, + With the mighty rake of iron. + + Yet it was no lifeless carcass, + But the lively Lemminkainen, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Sticking fast upon the rake-prongs, 270 + Sticking by his nameless finger, + And the toes upon his left foot. + + Thus she fished up Lemminkainen, + Kaleva's great offspring lifted, + On the rake all shod with copper, + To the light above the water. + Yet were many fragments wanting, + Half his head, a hand was wanting, + Many other little fragments, + And his very life was wanting. 280 + + As his mother pondered o'er it, + Thus she spoke while sorely weeping: + "Can a man from this be fashioned, + And a hero new created?" + + But by chance a raven heard her, + And he answered her in thiswise: + "No man can from this be fashioned, + Not from what you have discovered, + For his eyes the powan's eaten, + And the pike has cleft his shoulders. 290 + Cast the man into the water, + Back in Tuonela's deep river, + Perhaps a cod may thence be fashioned, + Or a whale from thence developed." + + Lemminkainen's mother would not + Cast her son into the water, + But again began her raking, + With the mighty rake of copper, + All through Tuonela's deep river, + First along it, then across it, 300 + And his head and hand discovered, + And the fragments of his backbone. + Then she found his ribs in pieces, + Likewise many other fragments, + And her son she pieced together, + Shaped the lively Lemminkainen. + + Then the flesh to flesh she fitted, + And the bones together fitted, + And the joints together jointed, + And the veins she pressed together. 310 + + Then she bound the veins together, + All their ends she knit together, + And with care their threads she counted, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Fairest goddess of the bloodveins, + Suonetar, O fairest woman, + Lovely weaver of the veinlets, + Working with thy loom so slender, + With the spindle all of copper, + And the wheel composed of iron, 320 + Come thou here, where thou art needed, + Hasten hither, where I call thee, + With a lapful of thy veinlets, + And beneath thy arm a bundle, + Thus to bind the veins together, + And to knit their ends together, + Where the wounds are gaping widely, + And where gashes still are open. + + "If this is not yet sufficient, + In the air there sits a maiden, 330 + In a boat adorned with copper, + In a boat with stern of scarlet. + From the air descend, O maiden, + Virgin from the midst of heaven, + Row thy boat throughout the veinlets, + Through the joints, both forth and backwards, + Through the broken bones, O steer thou, + And throughout the joints when broken. + + "Bind the veins together firmly, + Lay them in the right position, 340 + End to end the larger bloodveins, + And the arteries fit together, + Duplicate the smaller bloodveins. + Join the ends of smallest veinlets. + + "Take thou then thy finest needle, + Thread it next with silken fibre, + Sew thou with the finest needle, + Stitch thou with thy tin-made needle, + Sew the ends of veins together, + Bind them with thy silken fibre. 350 + + "If this is not yet sufficient, + Help me, Jumala, Eternal, + Harness thou thy foal of swiftness, + And equip thy mighty courser, + In thy little sledge then drive thou + Through the bones and joints, O drive thou, + Through the flesh that all is mangled, + Back and forth, throughout the veinlets, + In the flesh the bone then fasten, + Ends of veins knit firm together, 360 + 'Twixt the bones, O fix thou silver, + Fix the veins with gold together. + + "Where the skin is rent asunder, + Let the skin be brought together; + Where the veins have snapped asunder, + Let the veins be knit together; + Where through wounds the blood has issued, + Let the blood again be flowing; + Where the bones have broke to splinters, + Let the bones be fixed together; 370 + Where the flesh is torn asunder, + Let the flesh be knit together, + Fix it in the right position, + In its right position fix it, + Bone to bone and flesh to flesh fix, + Joint to joint unite thou firmly." + + Thus did Lemminkainen's mother + Form the man, and shape the hero + To his former life restore him, + To the form he wore aforetime. 380 + + All the veins had now been counted, + And their ends were knit together, + But as yet the man was speechless, + Nor the child to speak was able. + + Then she spoke the words which follow, + And expressed herself in thiswise: + "Whence shall we obtain an ointment, + Whence obtain the drops of honey + That I may anoint the patient + And that I may cure his weakness, 390 + That the man his speech recovers, + And again his songs is singing? + + "O thou bee, thou bird of honey, + King of all the woodland flowerets, + Go thou forth to fetch me honey, + Go thou forth to seek for honey, + Back from Metsola's fair meadows, + Tapiola, for ever cheerful, + From the cup of many a flower. + And the plumes of grasses many, 400 + As an ointment for the patient, + And to quite restore the sick one." + + Then the bee, the bird so active, + Flew away upon his journey, + Forth to Metsola's fair meadows, + Tapiola, for ever cheerful, + Probed the flowers upon the meadows, + With his tongue he sucked the honey + From the tips of six bright flowers, + From the plumes of hundred grasses, 410 + Then came buzzing loud and louder, + Rushing on his homeward journey, + With his wings all steeped in honey, + And his plumage soaked with nectar. + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother, + Take from him the magic ointment, + That she might anoint the patient, + And she thus might cure his weakness, + But from this there came no healing, + And as yet the man was speechless. 420 + Then she spoke the words which follow: + "O thou bee, my own dear birdling, + Fly thou in a new direction, + Over nine lakes fly thou quickly + Till thou reach a lovely island, + Where the land abounds with honey, + Where is Tuuri's new-built dwelling, + Palvonen's own roofless dwelling. + There is honey in profusion, + There is ointment in perfection, 430 + Fit to bind the veins together, + And to heal the joints completely. + From the meadow bring this ointment, + And the salve from out the meadow, + For upon the wounds I'll spread it, + And anoint the bruises with it." + + Then the bee, that active hero, + Flew again on whirring pinions, + And across nine lakes he travelled, + Half across the tenth he travelled, 440 + On he flew one day, a second, + And at length upon the third day, + Never on the reeds reposing, + Nor upon a leaf reposing, + Came he to the lovely island, + Where the land abounds with honey, + Till he reached a furious torrent, + And a holy river's whirlpool. + + In this spot was cooked the honey, + And the ointment was made ready 450 + In the little earthen vessels, + In the pretty little kettles, + Kettles of a thumb-size only, + And a finger-tip would fill them. + + Then the bee, that active hero, + Gathered honey in the meadow, + And a little time passed over, + Very little time passed over, + When he came on whirring pinions, + Coming with his mission finished, 460 + In his lap six cups he carried, + Seven upon his back he carried, + Brimming o'er with precious ointment, + With the best of ointment brimming. + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother + Salve him with this precious ointment, + With nine kinds of ointment salved him, + And ten kinds of magic ointment; + Even yet there came no healing, + Still her toil was unavailing. 470 + + Then she spoke the words which follow, + And expressed herself in thiswise: + "O thou bee, thou bird aerial, + Fly thou forth again the third time, + Fly thou up aloft to heaven, + And through nine heavens fly thou swiftly. + There is honey in abundance, + In the wood as much as needed, + Which was charmed by the Creator, + By pure Jumala was breathed on, 480 + When his children he anointed, + Wounded by the powers of evil. + In the honey dip thy pinions, + Soak thy plumage in the nectar, + Bring me honey on thy pinions, + In thy mantle from the forest, + As an ointment for the patient, + And anoint the bruises with it." + + But the bee, the bird of wisdom. + Answered her in words that follow: 490 + "How can I perform thy bidding, + I a man so small and helpless?" + + "Thou canst rise on high with swiftness, + Fly aloft with easy effort, + O'er the moon, below the daylight + And amid the stars of heaven. + Flying windlike on the first day + Past the borders of Orion, + On the second day thou soarest + Even to the Great Bear's shoulders, 500 + On the third day soaring higher. + O'er the Seven Stars thou risest, + Thence the journey is a short one, + And the distance very trifling, + Unto Jumala's bright dwelling, + And the regions of the blessed." + + From the earth the bee rose swiftly, + On his honeyed wings rose whirring, + And he soared on rapid pinions, + On his little wings flew upward. 510 + Swiftly past the moon he hurried, + Past the borders of the sunlight, + Rose upon the Great Bear's shoulders, + O'er the Seven Stars' backs rose upward, + Flew to the Creator's cellars, + To the halls of the Almighty. + There the drugs were well concocted, + And the ointment duly tempered + In the pots composed of silver, + Or within the golden kettles. 520 + In the midst they boiled the honey, + On the sides was sweetest ointment, + To the southward there was nectar, + To the northward there was ointment. + + Then the bee, that bird aerial, + Gathered honey in abundance, + Honey to his heart's contentment. + And but little time passed over, + Ere the bee again came buzzing, + Humming loudly on his journey, 530 + In his lap of horns a hundred, + And a thousand other vessels, + Some of honey, some of liquid, + And the best of all the ointment. + + Then did Lemminkainen's mother + Raise it to her mouth and taste it, + With her tongue the ointment tasted, + With the greatest care she proved it. + "'Tis the ointment that I needed, + And the salve of the Almighty, 540 + Used when Jumala the Highest, + The Creator heals all suffering." + + Then did she anoint the patient, + That she thus might cure his weakness, + Salved the bones along the fractures, + And between the joints she salved him, + Salved his head and lower portions, + Rubbed him also in the middle, + Then she spoke the words which follow, + And expressed herself in thiswise: 550 + "Rise, my son, from out thy slumber, + From thy dreams do thou awaken, + From this place so full of evil, + And a resting-place unholy." + + From his sleep arose the hero, + And from out his dreams awakened, + And at once his speech recovered. + With his tongue these words he uttered: + "Woe's me, long have I been sleeping, + Long have I in pain been lying, 560 + And in peaceful sleep reposing, + In the deepest slumber sunken." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother. + And expressed herself in thiswise: + "Longer yet hadst thou been sleeping, + Longer yet hadst thou been resting, + But for thy unhappy mother, + But for her in pain who bore thee. + + "Tell me now, my son unhappy, + Tell me that my ears may hear it, 570 + Who to Manala has sent thee, + There to drift in Tuoni's river?" + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + And he answered thus his mother: + "Markahattu, he the cowherd, + Untamola's blind old rascal, + Down to Manala has sent me, + There to drift in Tuoni's river; + And he raised a water-serpent, + From the waves a serpent lifted, 580 + Sent it forth to me unhappy, + But I could not guard against it, + Knowing nought of water-evil, + Nor the evils of the reed-beds." + + Then said Lemminkainen's mother, + "Mighty man of little foresight. + Boasting to enchant the sorcerers, + And to ban the sons of Lapland, + Knowing nought of water-evil, + Nor the evils of the reed-beds! 590 + + "Water-snakes are born in water, + On the waves among the reed-beds, + From the duck's brain springs the serpent, + In the head of the sea-swallow. + Syojatar spat in the water, + Cast upon the waves the spittle, + And the water stretched it lengthwise. + And the sunlight warmed and softened. + And the wind arose and tossed it, + And the water-breezes rocked it, 600 + On the shore the waves they drove it, + And amid the breakers urged it." + + Thus did Lemminkainen's mother + Cause her son with all her efforts, + To resume his old appearance, + And ensured that in the future + He should even be superior, + Yet more handsome than aforetime, + And she asked her son thereafter + Was there anything he needed? 610 + + Said the lively Lemminkainen, + "There is something greatly needed, + For my heart is fixed for ever, + And my inclination leads me + To the charming maids of Pohja, + With their lovely locks unbraided, + But the dirty-eared old woman + Has refused to give her daughter, + Till I shoot the duck she asks for, + And the swan shall capture for her, 620 + Here in Tuonela's dark river, + In the holy river's whirlpool." + + Then spoke Lemminkainen's mother, + And she answered him in thiswise: + "Leave the poor swans unmolested, + Leave the ducks a peaceful dwelling, + Here on Tuoni's murky river, + Here amid the raging whirlpool! + Best it is to journey homeward + With your most unhappy mother, 630 + Praise thou now thy happy future, + And to Jumala be praises, + That he granted his assistance, + And has thus to life awaked thee, + And from Tuoni's paths hath led thee, + And from Mana's realms hath brought thee! + I myself had never conquered, + And alone had nought accomplished, + But for Jumala's compassion, + And the help of the Creator." 640 + + Then the lively Lemminkainen, + Went at once his journey homeward, + With his mother, she who loved him, + Homeward with the aged woman. + + Here I part awhile with Kauko, + Leave the lively Lemminkainen, + Long from out my song I leave him, + While I quickly change my subject, + Turn my song in new directions, + And in other furrows labour. 650 + + + + +RUNO XVI.--VaINaMoINEN IN TUONELA + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen orders Sampsa Pellervoinen to seek for wood for +boat-building. He makes a boat, but finds himself at a loss for want of +three magic words (1-118). As he cannot otherwise obtain them, he goes +to Tuonela hoping to procure them there (119-362). Vainamoinen finally +escapes from Tuonela, and after his return warns others not to venture +there, and describes what a terrible place it is and the horrible abodes +in which men dwell there (363-412). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + He the great primeval sorcerer, + Set to work a boat to build him, + And upon a boat to labour, + There upon the cloudy headland, + On the shady island's summit. + But the workman found no timber, + Boards to build the boat he found not. + + Who shall seek for timber for him, + And shall seek an oak-tree for him, 10 + For the boat of Vainamoinen, + And a keel to suit the minstrel? + + Pellervoinen, earth-begotten, + Sampsa, youth of smallest stature, + He shall seek for timber for him, + And shall seek an oak-tree for him. + For the boat of Vainamoinen, + And a keel to suit the minstrel. + + So upon his path he wandered + Through the regions to the north-east, 20 + Through one district, then another, + Journeyed after through a third one, + With his gold axe on his shoulder, + With his axe, with copper handle, + Till he found an aspen standing, + Which in height three fathoms measured. + + So he went to fell the aspen, + With his axe the tree to sever, + And the aspen spoke and asked him, + With its tongue it spoke in thiswise: 30 + "What, O man, desire you from me? + Tell your need, as far as may be." + + Youthful Sampsa Pellervoinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "This is what I wish for from thee, + This I need, and this require I, + 'Tis a boat for Vainamoinen; + For the minstrel's boat the timber." + + And the aspen said astounded, + Answered with its hundred branches: 40 + "As a boat I should be leaking, + And would only sink beneath you, + For my branches they are hollow. + Thrice already in this summer, + Has a grub my heart devoured, + In my roots a worm has nestled." + + Youthful Sampsa Pellervoinen + Wandered further on his journey, + And he wandered, deeply pondering, + In the region to the northward. 50 + + There he found a pine-tree standing, + And its height was full six fathoms, + And he struck it with his hatchet, + On the trunk with axe-blade smote it, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O thou pine-tree, shall I take thee, + For the boat of Vainamoinen, + And as boatwood for the minstrel?" + + But the pine-tree answered quickly, + And it cried in answer loudly, 60 + "For a boat you cannot use me, + Nor a six-ribbed boat can fashion, + Full of knots you'll find the pine-tree. + Thrice already in this summer, + In my summit croaked a raven, + Croaked a crow among my branches." + + Youthful Sampsa Pellervoinen + Further yet pursued his journey, + And he wandered, deeply pondering, + In the region to the southward, 70 + Till he found an oak-tree standings + Fathoms nine its boughs extended. + + And he thus addressed and asked it: + "O thou oak-tree, shall I take thee, + For the keel to make a vessel, + The foundation of a warship?" + + And the oak-tree answered wisely, + Answered thus the acorn-bearer: + "Yes, indeed, my wood is suited + For the keel to make a vessel, 80 + Neither slender 'tis, nor knotted, + For within its substance hollow. + Thrice already in this summer, + In the brightest days of summer, + Through my midst the sunbeams wandered. + On my crown the moon was shining, + In my branches cried the cuckoos. + In my boughs the birds were resting." + + Youthful Sampsa Pellervoinen + Took the axe from off his shoulder, 90 + With his axe he smote the tree-trunk, + With the blade he smote the oak-tree. + Speedily he felled the oak-tree, + And the beauteous tree had fallen. + + First he hewed it through the summit, + All the trunk he cleft in pieces, + After this the keel he fashioned, + Planks so many none could count them. + For the vessel of the minstrel, + For the boat of Vainamoinen. 100 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + He the great primeval sorcerer, + Fashioned then the boat with wisdom, + Built with magic songs the vessel, + From the fragments of an oak-tree, + Fragments of the shattered oak-tree. + + With a song the keel he fashioned, + With another, sides he fashioned, + And he sang again a third time. + And the rudder he constructed, 110 + Bound the rib-ends firm together, + And the joints he fixed together. + + When the boat's ribs were constructed, + And the sides were fixed together, + Still he found three words were wanting, + Which the sides should fix securely, + Fix the prow in right position, + And the stern should likewise finish. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + He the great primeval minstrel, 120 + Uttered then the words which follow: + "Woe to me, my life is wretched, + For my boat unlaunched remaineth, + On the waves the new boat floats not!" + + So he pondered and reflected + How to find the words he needed, + And obtain the spells of magic, + From among the brains of swallows, + From the heads of flocks of wild swans, + From the shoulders of the goose-flocks. 130 + + Then he went the words to gather, + And a flock of swans he slaughtered. + And a flock of geese he slaughtered, + And beheaded many swallows, + But the spells he needed found not. + Not a word, not e'en a half one. + + So he pondered and reflected, + "I shall find such words by hundreds, + 'Neath the tongue of summer reindeer, + In the mouth of whitest squirrel." 140 + + So he went the words to gather, + That the spells he might discover, + And a field he spread with reindeer, + Loaded benches high with squirrels. + Many words he thus discovered, + But they all were useless to him. + + So he pondered and reflected, + "I should find such words by hundreds + In the dark abodes of Tuoni, + In the eternal home of Mana." 150 + + Then to Tuonela he journeyed, + Sought the words in Mana's kingdom. + And with rapid steps he hastened, + Wandered for a week through bushes, + Through bird-cherry for a second, + And through juniper the third week, + Straight to Manala's dread island. + And the gleaming hills of Tuoni. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast. + Raised his voice, and shouted loudly 160 + There by Tuonela's deep river, + There in Manala's abysses: + "Bring a boat, O Tuoni's daughter, + Row across, O child of Mana, + That the stream I may pass over. + And that I may cross the river." + + Tuoni's short and stunted daughter. + She the dwarfish maid of Mana, + At the time her clothes was washing, + And her clothes she there was beating, 170 + At the river dark of Tuoni, + And in Manala's deep waters. + And she answered him in thiswise, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Hence a boat shall come to fetch you, + When you shall explain the reason + Why to Manala you travel. + Though disease has not subdued you. + Nor has death thus overcome you, + Nor some other fate o'erwhelmed you." 180 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "It was Tuoni brought me hither, + Mana dragged me from my country." + + Tuoni's short and stunted daughter, + She the dwarfish maid of Mana, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Ay, indeed, I know the liar! + If 'twas Tuoni brought you hither, + Mana dragged you from your country, 190 + Then would Tuoni's self be with you, + Manalainen's self conduct you, + Tuoni's hat upon your shoulders. + On your hands the gloves of Mana. + Speak the truth, O Vainamoinen; + What to Manala has brought you?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Iron to Manala has brought me, + Steel to Tuonela has dragged me." 200 + + Tuoni's short and stunted daughter + She the dwarfish maid of Mana, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Now, indeed, I know the liar! + For if iron to Mana brought you, + Steel to Tuonela had dragged you. + From your clothes the blood would trickle, + And the blood would forth be flowing. + Speak the truth, O Vainamoinen, + For the second time speak truly." 210 + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Water has to Mana brought me, + Waves to Tuonela have brought me." + + Tuoni's short and stunted daughter, + She the dwarfish maid of Mana, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Ay, indeed, I know the liar! + If to Mana water brought you, + Waves to Manala had floated, 220 + From your clothes would water trickle, + From the borders streaming downward. + Tell me true, without evasion, + What to Manala has brought you?" + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Gave again a lying answer. + "Fire to Tuonela has brought me, + Flame to Manala conveyed me." + + Tuoni's short and stunted daughter. + She the dwarfish maid of Mana, 230 + Once again replied in answer: + "Well indeed I know the liar! + Had the fire to Tuoni brought you, + Flame to Manala conveyed you, + Would your hair be singed and frizzled, + And your beard be scorched severely. + + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + If you wish the boat to fetch you, + Tell me true, without evasion, + Make an end at last of lying, 240 + Why to Manala you travel, + Though disease has not subdued you, + Nor has death thus overcome you, + Nor some other fate o'erwhelmed you." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "True it is I lied a little, + And again I spoke a falsehood, + But at length I answer truly. + By my art a boat I fashioned, + By my songs a boat I builded, 250 + And I sang one day, a second, + And at length upon the third day, + Broke my sledge as I was singing, + Broke the shaft as I was singing, + So I came for Tuoni's gimlet. + Sought in Manala a borer, + That my sledge I thus might finish. + And with this might form my song-sledge. + Therefore bring your boat to this side, + Ferry me across the water, 260 + And across the straight convey me, + Let me come across the river." + + Tuonetar abused him roundly, + Mana's maiden scolded loudly: + "O thou fool, of all most foolish, + Man devoid of understanding. + Tuonela, thou seekest causeless, + Com'st to Mana free from sickness! + Better surely would you find it + Quickly to regain your country, 270 + Many truly wander hither, + Few return to where they came from!" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "This might perhaps deter old women, + Not a man, how weak soever. + Not the laziest of heroes! + Bring the boat, O Tuoni's daughter, + Row across, O child of Mana!" + + Brought the boat then, Tuoni's daughter. + And the aged Vainamoinen 280 + Quickly o'er the straight she ferried. + And across the river rowed him, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Woe to thee, O Vainamoinen, + For thou com'st to Mana living, + Com'st to Tuonela undying!" + + Tuonetar the noble matron, + Manalatar, aged woman, + Fetched some beer within a tankard, + And in both her hands she held it, 290 + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Drink, O aged Vainamoinen!" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Looked for long within the tankard, + And within it frogs were spawning, + At the sides the worms were wriggling, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Surely I have not come hither, + Thus to drink from Mana's goblets, + Or to drink from Tuoni's tankards. 300 + Those who drink this beer are drunken, + Drinking from such cans they perish." + + Then said Tuonela's great mistress, + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Why to Manala dost travel, + Why to Tuonela hast ventured, + Though by Tuoni never summoned, + To the land of Mana called not?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "At my boat as I was working, 310 + While my new boat I was shaping, + Then I found three words were wanting, + Ere the stern could be completed, + And the prow could be constructed, + But as I could find them nowhere, + In the world where'er I sought them, + Then to Tuonela I travelled, + Journeyed to the land of Mana, + There to find the words I needed, + There the magic words to study." 320 + + Then said Tuonela's great mistress, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Ne'er the words will Tuoni give you, + Nor his spells will Mana teach you. + Never shall you leave these regions, + Never while your life remaineth, + Shall you ever journey homeward, + To your country home returning." + + Sank the weary man in slumber, + And the traveller lay and slumbered, 330 + On the bed prepared by Tuoni, + There outstretched himself in slumber, + And the hero thus was captured, + Lay outstretched, but quickly wakened. + + There's in Tuonela a witch-wife, + Aged crone with chin projecting, + And she spins her thread of iron, + And she draws out wire of copper. + And she spun of nets a hundred, + And she wove herself a thousand, 340 + In a single night of summer, + On the rock amid the waters. + + There's in Tuonela a wizard, + And three fingers has the old man, + And he weaves his nets of iron, + And he makes his nets of copper, + And a hundred nets he wove him, + And a thousand nets he plaited, + In the selfsame night of summer, + On the same stone in the water. 350 + + Tuoni's son with crooked fingers. + Crooked fingers hard as iron, + Took the hundred nets, and spread them + Right across the stream of Tuoni, + Both across and also lengthwise, + And in an oblique direction + So that Vaino should not 'scape him, + Nor should flee Uvantolainen, + In the course of all his lifetime, + While the golden moon is shining, 360 + From the dread abode of Tuoni, + From the eternal home of Mana. + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Uttered then the words which follow: + "May not rain overtake me, + And an evil fate await me. + Here in Tuonela's dark dwellings, + In the foul abode of Mana?" + + Quickly then his shape transforming, + And another shape assuming, 370 + To the gloomy lake he hastened; + Like an otter in the reed-beds, + Like an iron snake he wriggled, + Like a little adder hastened + Straight across the stream of Tuoni, + Safely through the nets of Tuoni. + + Tuoni's son with crooked fingers, + Crooked fingers, hard as iron, + Wandered early in the morning + To survey the nets extended, 380 + Found of salmon-trout a hundred, + Smaller fry he found by thousands, + But he found not Vainamoinen, + Not the old Uvantolainen. + + Thus the aged Vainamoinen + Made his way from Tuoni's kingdom, + And he said the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: + "Never, Jumala the mighty, + Never let another mortal, 390 + Make his way to Mana's country, + Penetrate to Tuoni's kingdom! + Many there indeed have ventured. + Few indeed have wandered homeward; + From the dread abode of Tuoni, + From the eternal home of Mana." + + Afterwards these words he added, + And expressed himself in thiswise. + To the rising generation, + And to the courageous people: 400 + "Sons of men, O never venture + In the course of all your lifetime, + Wrong to work against the guiltless, + Guilt to work against the sinless, + Lest your just reward is paid you + In the dismal realms of Tuoni! + There's the dwelling of the guilty, + And the resting-place of sinners, + Under stones to redness heated, + Under slabs of stone all glowing, 410 + 'Neath a coverlet of vipers, + Of the loathsome snakes of Tuoni." + + + + +RUNO XVII.--VaINaMoINEN AND ANTERO VIPUNEN + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen goes to obtain magic words from Antero Vipunen, and wakes +him from his long sleep under the earth (1-98). Vipunen swallows +Vainamoinen, and the latter begins to torture him violently in his +stomach (99-146). Vipunen tries every means that he can think of to get +rid of him by promises, spells, conjurations and exorcisms, but +Vainamoinen declares that he will never depart till he has obtained from +Vipunen the words which he requires to finish his boat (147-526). +Vipunen sings all his wisdom to Vainamoinen, who then leaves his body, +returns to his boat-building, and finishes his boat (527-6:28). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Had not found the words he wanted + In the dark abode of Tuoni, + In the eternal realms of Mana, + And for evermore he pondered. + In his head reflected ever. + Where the words he might discover, + And obtain the charms he needed. + + Once a shepherd came to meet him, + And he spoke the words which follow: 10 + "You can find a hundred phrases, + And a thousand words discover, + Known to Antero Vipunen only, + In his monstrous mouth and body. + And there is a path which leads there, + And a cross-road must be traversed, + Not the best among the pathways, + Nor the very worst of any. + Firstly you must leap along it + O'er the points of women's needles, 20 + And another stage must traverse + O'er the points of heroes' sword-blades, + And a third course must be traversed + O'er the blades of heroes' axes." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Pondered deeply o'er the journey, + To the smithy then he hastened, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Forge me straightway shoes of iron, 30 + Forge me likewise iron gauntlets, + Make me, too, a shirt of iron, + And a mighty stake of iron, + All of steel, which I will pay for, + Lined within with steel the strongest, + And o'erlaid with softer iron, + For I go some words to seek for, + And to snatch the words of power, + From the giant's mighty body, + Mouth of Antero Vipunen wisest." 40 + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Vipunen has long since perished, + Long has Antero departed + From the nets he has constructed, + And the snares that he has fashioned. + Words from him you cannot hope for; + Half a word you could not look for." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Started on his way, unheeding, 50 + And the first day speeded lightly + O'er the points of women's needles, + And the second day sprang nimbly + O'er the points of heroes' sword-blades, + And upon the third day speeded + O'er the blades of heroes' axes. + + Vipunen in songs was famous, + Full of craft the aged hero; + With his songs he lay extended, + Outstretched with his spells of magic. 60 + On his shoulders grew a poplar, + From his temples sprang a birch-tree, + On his chin-tip grew an alder, + On his beard a willow-thicket, + On his brow were firs with squirrels, + From his teeth sprang branching pine-trees. + Then at once did Vainamoinen, + Draw his sword and free the iron + From the scabbard formed of leather, + From his belt of lambskin fashioned; 70 + Fell the poplar from his shoulders, + Fell the birch-trees from his temples, + From his chin the spreading alders, + From his beard the willow-bushes, + From his brow the firs with squirrels, + From his teeth the branching pine-trees. + + Then he thrust his stake of iron + Into Vipunen's mouth he thrust it, + In his gnashing gums he thrust it, + In his clashing jaws he thrust it, 80 + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Rouse thyself, O slave of mortals, + Where beneath the earth thou restest, + In a sleep that long has lasted." + + Vipunen, in songs most famous, + Suddenly awoke from slumber, + Feeling he was roughly treated, + And with pain severe tormented. + Then he bit the stake of iron, + Bit the outer softer iron, 90 + But the steel he could not sever, + Could not eat the inner iron. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Just above his mouth was standing, + And his right foot slipped beneath him, + And his left foot glided onward. + Into Vipunen's mouth he stumbled, + And within his jaws he glided. + + Vipunen, in songs most famous, + Opened then his mouth yet wider, 100 + And his jaws he wide extended, + Gulped the well-beloved hero, + With a shout the hero swallowed, + Him the aged Vainamoinen. + + Vipunen, in songs most famous, + Spoke the very words which follow: + "I have eaten much already, + And on ewes and goats have feasted, + And have barren heifers eaten, + And have also swine devoured, 110 + But I ne'er had such a dinner, + Such a morsel never tasted." + + But the aged Vainamoinen, + Uttered then the words which follow: + "Now destruction falls upon me, + And an evil day o'ertakes me, + Prisoned here in Hiisi's stable, + Here in Kalma's narrow dungeon." + + So he pondered and reflected + How to live and how to struggle. 120 + In his belt a knife had Vaino, + And the haft was formed of maple, + And from this a boat he fashioned, + And a boat he thus constructed, + And he rowed the boat, and urged it + Back and forth throughout the entrails, + Rowing through the narrow channels, + And exploring every passage. + + Vipunen the old musician + Was not thus much incommoded; 130 + Then the aged Vainamoinen + As a smith began to labour. + And began to work with iron. + With his shirt he made a smithy, + With his shirt-sleeves made his bellows, + With the fur he made the wind-bag, + With his trousers made the air-pipe, + And the opening with his stockings + And he used his knee for anvil, + And his elbow for a hammer. 140 + + Then he quick began to hammer, + Actively he plied his hammer, + Through the livelong night, unresting, + Through the day without cessation + In the stomach of the wise one, + In the entrails of the mighty. + + Vipunen, in songs most famous, + Spoke aloud the words which follow: + "Who among mankind can this be, + Who among the roll of heroes? 150 + I have gulped a hundred heroes, + And a thousand men devoured, + But his like I never swallowed. + In my mouth the coals are rising, + On my tongue are firebrands resting, + In my throat is slag of iron. + + "Go thou forth to wander, strange one, + Pest of earth, at once depart thou, + Ere I go to seek thy mother, + Seek thy very aged mother. 160 + If I told it to thy mother, + Told the aged one the story, + Great would be thy mother's trouble, + Great the aged woman's sorrow, + That her son should work such evil, + And her child should act so basely. + + "Still I hardly comprehend it, + Do not comprehend the reason, + How thou, Hiisi, here hast wandered, + Why thou cam'st, thou evil creature, 170 + Thus to bite, and thus to torture, + Thus to eat, and thus to gnaw me. + Art thou some disease-created + Death that Jumala ordains me, + Or art thou another creature, + Fashioned and unloosed by others, + Hired beforehand to torment me, + Or hast thou been bribed with money? + + "If thou art disease-created, + Death by Jumala ordained me, 180 + Then I trust in my Creator, + And to Jumala resign me; + For the good the Lord rejects not, + Nor does he destroy the righteous. + + "If thou art another creature, + And an evil wrought by others, + Then thy race would I discover, + And the place where thou wast nurtured. + + "Once before have ills assailed me, + Plagues from somewhere have attacked me, 190 + From the realms of mighty sorcerers, + From the meadows of the soothsayers, + And the homes of evil spirits, + And the plains where dwell the wizards, + From the dreary heaths of Kalma, + From beneath the firm earth's surface, + From the dwellings of the dead men, + From the realms of the departed, + From the loose earth heaped in hillocks, + From the regions of the landslips, 200 + From the loose and gravelly districts, + From the shaking sandy regions, + From the valleys deeply sunken, + From the moss-grown swampy districts, + From the marshes all unfrozen, + From the billows ever tossing, + From the stalls in Hiisi's forest, + From five gorges in the mountains, + From the slopes of copper mountains, + From their summits all of copper, 210 + From the ever-rustling pine-trees, + And the rustling of the fir-trees, + From the crowns of rotten pine-trees, + And the tops of rotten fir-trees, + From those spots where yelp the foxes, + Heaths where elk are chased on snowshoes, + From the bear's own rocky caverns, + From the caves where bears are lurking, + From the furthest bounds of Pohja, + From the distant realms of Lapland, 220 + From the wastes where grow no bushes, + From the lands unploughed for ever, + From the battle-fields extended, + From the slaughter-place of heroes, + From the fields where grass is rustling, + From the blood that there is smoking, + From the blue sea's watery surface, + From the open sea's broad surface, + From the black mud of the ocean, + From the depth of thousand fathoms, 230 + From the fiercely rushing torrents, + From the seething of the whirlpool, + And from Rutja's mighty cataract, + Where the waters rush most wildly, + From the further side of heaven, + Where the rainless clouds stretch furthest, + From the pathway of the spring-wind, + From the cradle of the tempests. + + "From such regions hast thou journeyed + Thence hast thou proceeded, Torment, 240 + To my heart of evil guiltless, + To my belly likewise sinless, + To devour and to torment me, + And to bite me and to tear me? + + "Pine away, O hound of Hiisi, + Dog of Manala the vilest, + O thou demon, quit my body, + Pest of earth, O quit my liver, + Let my heart be undevoured, + Leave thou, too, my spleen uninjured, 250 + Make no stoppage in my belly, + And my lungs forbear to traverse, + Do not pierce me through the navel, + And my loins forbear to injure, + And my backbone do not shatter, + Nor upon my sides torment me. + + "If my strength as man should fail me, + Then will I invoke a greater, + Which shall rid me of the evil, + And shall drive away the horror. 260 + + "From the earth I call the Earth-Queen, + From the fields, the Lord primeval, + From the earth I call all swordsmen, + From the sands the hero-horsemen, + Call them to my aid and succour, + To my help and aid I call them, + In the tortures that o'erwhelm me, + And amid this dreadful torment. + + "If you do not heed their presence, + And you will not shrink before them, 270 + Come, O forest, with thy people, + Junipers, bring all your army. + Come, O pinewoods, with your household, + And thou pond with all thy children, + With their swords a hundred swordsmen, + And a thousand mail-clad heroes, + That they may assail this Hiisi, + And may overwhelm this Juutas! + + "If you do not heed their presence, + And you will not shrink before them, 280 + Rise thou up, O Water-Mother, + Raise thy blue cap from the billows, + And thy soft robe from the waters, + From the ooze thy form of beauty, + For a powerless hero's rescue, + For a weakly man's protection, + Lest I should be eaten guiltless, + And without disease be slaughtered. + + "If you will not heed their presence, + And you will not shrink before them, 290 + Ancient Daughter of Creation, + Come in all thy golden beauty, + Thou the oldest of all women, + Thou the first of all the mothers, + Come to see the pains that rack me, + And the evil days drive from me, + That thy strength may overcome them, + And perchance may free me from them. + + "But if this not yet should move you, + And you will not yet draw backwards, 300 + Ukko, in the vault of heaven, + On the thundercloud's wide border, + Come thou here, where thou art needed, + Hasten here, where I implore thee, + To dispel the works of evil, + And destroy this vile enchantment, + With thy sword of flame dispel it, + With thy flashing sword-blade smite it. + + "Go thou horror, forth to wander, + Curse of earth depart thou quickly, 310 + Here no more shall be thy dwelling, + And if thou such dwelling needest, + Elsewhere shalt thou seek thy dwellings, + Far from here a home shalt find thee, + In the household of thy master, + In the footsteps of thy mistress. + + "When you reach your destination, + And your journey you have finished, + In the realms of him who made you, + In the country of your master, 320 + Give a signal of your coming, + Let a lightning flash announce it, + Let them hear the roll of thunder, + Let them see the lightning flashing, + And the yard-gate kick to pieces, + Pull a shutter from the window, + Then the house thou soon canst enter, + Rush into the room like whirlwind, + Plant thy foot within it firmly, + And thy heel where space is narrow, 330 + Push the men into the corner, + And the women to the doorposts, + Scratch the eyes from out the masters, + Smash the heads of all the women, + Curve thou then to hooks thy fingers, + Twist thou then their heads all crooked. + + "Or if this is not sufficient, + Fly as cock upon the pathway, + Or as chicken in the farmyard, + With thy breast upon the dunghill, 340 + Drive the horses from the stable, + From the stalls the horned cattle, + Push their horns into the dungheap, + On the ground their tails all scatter, + Twist thou then their eyes all crooked, + And their necks in haste then break thou. + + "Art thou Sickness, tempest-carried, + Tempest-carried, wind-conducted, + And a gift from wind of springtime, + By the frosty air led hither, 350 + On the path of air conducted, + On the sledgeway of the spring-wind, + Then upon the trees repose not, + Rest thou not upon the alders, + Hasten to the copper mountain, + Hasten to its copper summit, + Let the wind convey thee thither, + Guarded by the wind of springtide. + + "But if thou from heaven descended, + From the rainless clouds' broad margins, 360 + Then again ascend to heaven, + Once again in air arise thou, + To the clouds where rain is falling, + To the stars that ever twinkle, + That thou there mayst burn like fire, + And that thou mayst shine and sparkle + On the sun's own path of splendour, + And around the moon's bright circle. + + "If thou art some pest of water, + Hither drifted by the sea-waves, 370 + Let the pest return to water, + Journey back amid the sea-waves, + To the walls of muddy castles, + To the crests of waves like mountains, + There amid the waves to welter, + Rocking on the darkling billows. + + "Cam'st thou from the heaths of Kalma, + From the realms of the departed, + To thy home return thou quickly, + To the dark abodes of Kalma, 380 + To the land upheaved in hillocks, + To the land that quakes for ever, + Where the people fall in battle, + And a mighty host has perished. + + "If thou foolishly hast wandered + From the depths of Hiisi's forest, + From the nest amid the pine-trees, + From thy home among the fir-trees, + Then I drive thee forth and ban thee, + To the depths of Hiisi's forest, 390 + To thy home among the fir-trees, + To thy nest among the pine-trees. + There thou mayst remain for ever, + Till the flooring-planks have rotted, + And the wooden walls are mildewed, + And the roof shall fall upon you. + + "I will drive thee forth and ban thee, + Drive thee forth, O evil creature, + Forth unto the old bear's dwelling, + To the lair of aged she-bear, 400 + To the deep and swampy valleys, + To the ever-frozen marshes, + To the swamps for ever quaking, + Quaking underneath the footsteps, + To the ponds where sport no fishes, + Where no perch are ever noticed. + + "But if there thou find'st no refuge, + Further yet will I then ban thee, + To the furthest bounds of Pohja, + To the distant plains of Lapland, 410 + To the barren treeless tundras, + To the country where they plough not, + Where is neither moon nor sunlight, + Where the sun is never shining. + There a charming life awaits thee, + There to roam about at pleasure. + In the woods the elks are lurking. + In the woods men hunt the reindeer, + That a man may still his hunger, + And may satisfy his craving. 420 + + "Even further yet I ban thee, + Banish thee, and drive thee onward, + To the mighty falls of Rutja, + To the fiercely raging whirlpool, + Thither where the trees have fallen, + And the fallen pines are rolling, + Tossing trunks of mighty fir-trees, + Wide-extended crowns of pine-trees. + Swim thou there, thou wicked heathen, + In the cataract's foaming torrent, 430 + Round to drive 'mid boundless waters, + Resting in the narrow waters. + + "But if there you find no refuge, + Further yet will I then ban you, + To the river black of Tuoni, + To the eternal stream of Mana, + Never in thy life escaping, + Never while thy life endureth, + Should I not consent to free thee, + Nor to ransom thee be able, 440 + Come with nine sheep thee to ransom, + Which a single ewe has farrowed, + And with bullocks, nine in number, + From a single cow proceeding, + And with stallions, nine in number, + From a single mare proceeding. + + "Need you horses for your journey, + Or there's aught you need for driving, + Horses I will give in plenty, + Plenty I can give for riding. 450 + Hiisi has a horse of beauty, + With a red mane, on the mountain. + Fire is flashing from his muzzle, + And his nostrils brightly shining, + And his hoofs are all of iron, + And of steel are they constructed. + He can climb upon a mountain, + Climb the sloping sides of valleys, + If his rider mounts him boldly, + Urges him to show his mettle. 460 + + "But if this is not sufficient, + Then may Hiisi make thee snowshoes. + Take the alder-shoes of Lempo, + Where the thick smoke is the foulest, + Skate thou to the land of Hiisi, + Rushing through the woods of Lempo, + Dashing through the land of Hiisi, + Gliding through the evil country. + If a stone impedes thy pathway, + Crash and scatter it asunder; 470 + Lies a branch across thy pathway, + Break the branch in twain when passing; + If a hero bar thy passage, + Drive him boldly from thy pathway. + Go thy way, thou lazy creature, + Go thou forth, thou man of evil, + Now, before the day is dawning, + Or the morning twilight glimmer, + Or as yet the sun has risen, + Or thou yet hast heard the cockcrow! 480 + Thou delay'st too long to leave me, + Take thy flight, O evil creature, + Fare thee forth Into the moonlight, + Wander forth amid its brightness. + + "If thou wilt not leave me quickly, + O thou dog without a mother, + I will take the eagles' talons + And the claws of the blood-suckers, + And of birds of prey the talons, + And of hawks the talons likewise, 490 + That I thus may seize the demons, + Utterly o'ercome these wretches, + That my head may ache no longer, + Nor my breathing more oppress me. + + "Once did Lempo's self flee from me, + When he wandered from his mother, + When was aid from Jumala granted, + Gave his aid, the Great Creator. + Wander forth without thy mother, + O thou uncreated creature, 500 + Wretched dog without a master, + Forth, O whelp without a mother, + Even while the time is passing, + Even while the moon is waning." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Here I find a pleasant dwelling, + Here I dwell in much contentment, + And for bread the liver serves me, + And the fat with drink supplies me, 510 + And the lungs are good for cooking, + And the fat is best for eating. + + "Therefore will I sink my smithy + In thy heart for ever deeper, + And will strike my hammer harder, + Pounding on the tenderest places, + That in all thy life thou never + Freedom from the ill may'st hope for, + If thy spells thou dost not teach me, + All thy magic spells shalt teach me, 520 + Till thy spells I learn in fulness, + And a thousand spells have gathered; + Till no spells are hidden from me, + Nor the spells of magic hidden, + That in caves their power is lost not, + Even though the wizards perish." + + Vipunen, in songs so famous, + He the sage so old in wisdom, + In whose mouth was mighty magic, + Power unbounded in his bosom, 530 + Opened then his mouth of wisdom, + Of his spells the casket opened, + Sang his mighty spells of magic, + Chanted forth of all the greatest, + Magic songs of the Creation, + From the very earliest ages, + Songs that all the children sing not, + Even heroes understand not, + In these dreary days of evil, + In the days that now are passing. 540 + + Words of origin he chanted, + All his spells he sang in order, + At the will of the Creator, + At behest of the Almighty, + How himself the air he fashioned, + And from air the water parted, + And the earth was formed from water, + And from earth all herbage sprouted. + + Then he sang the moon's creation, + Likewise how the sun was fashioned, 550 + How the air was raised on pillars, + How the stars were placed in heaven. + + Vipunen, in songs the wisest, + Sang in part, and sang in fulness. + Never yet was heard or witnessed, + Never while the world existed, + One who was a better singer, + One who was a wiser wizard. + From his mouth the words were flowing, + And his tongue sent forth his sayings, 560 + Quick as legs of foals are moving, + Or the feet of rapid courser. + + Through the days he sang unceasing, + Through the nights without cessation. + To his songs the sun gave hearing, + And the golden moon stayed listening, + Waves stood still on ocean's surface, + Billows sank upon its margin, + Rivers halted in their courses, + Rutja's furious cataract halted, 570 + Vuoksi's cataract ceased its flowing, + Likewise, too, the river Jordan. + + When the aged Vainamoinen + Unto all the spells had listened, + And had learned the charms in fulness, + All the magic spells creative, + He prepared himself to travel + From the widespread jaws of Vipunen; + From the belly of the wise one, + From within his monstrous body. 580 + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "O thou Antero Vipunen hugest, + Open thou thy mouth gigantic, + And thy jaws extend more widely. + I would quit for earth thy body, + And would take my journey homeward." + + Vipunen then, in songs the wisest, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Much I've drunk, and much have eaten, + And consumed a thousand dainties, 590 + But before I never swallowed + Aught like aged Vainamoinen. + Good indeed has been thy coming, + Better 'tis when thou departest." + + Then did Antero Vipunen open + Wide expanding gums grimacing, + Open wide his mouth gigantic, + And his jaws extended widely, + While the aged Vainamoinen + To his mouth made lengthened journey, 600 + From the belly of the wise one, + From within his monstrous body. + From his mouth he glided swiftly, + O'er the heath he bounded swiftly, + Very like a golden squirrel, + Or a golden-breasted marten. + + Further on his path he journeyed, + Till at length he reached the smithy. + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "Have you found the words you wanted, 610 + Have you learned the spells creative, + That the boat-sides you can fashion, + Spells to fix the stern together, + And the bows to deftly fashion?" + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Spells a hundred have I gathered, + And a thousand spells of magic, + Secret spells were opened to me, + Hidden charms were all laid open." 620 + + To his boat he hastened quickly, + And he set to work most wisely, + Set to work the boat to finish, + And he fixed the sides together, + And the stern he fixed together, + And the bows he deftly fashioned, + But the boat he built unhammered, + Nor a chip he severed from it. + + + + +RUNO XVIII.--VaINaMoINEN AND ILMARINEN TRAVEL TO POHJOLA + + +_Argument_ + +Vainamoinen sets sail in his new boat to woo the Maiden of Pohja (1-40). +Ilmarinen's sister sees him, calls to him from the shore, learns the +object of his journey, and hastens to warn her brother that a rival has +set forth to Pohjola to claim the bride (41-266). Ilmarinen makes ready, +and rides on horseback to Pohjola along the shore (267-470). The +Mistress of Pohjola sees the suitors approaching, and advises her +daughter to choose Vainamoinen (471-634). But the daughter herself +prefers Ilmarinen, the forger of the Sampo, and tells Vainamoinen, who +is first to arrive, that she will not marry him (635-706). + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Pondered deeply and reflected + How he best should woo the maiden, + Hasten to the long-haired maiden, + In the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola, for ever misty, + She the far-famed Maid of Pohja, + She the peerless Bride of Pohja. + + There the pale-grey boat was lying, + And the boat with red he painted, 10 + And adorned the prow with gilding, + And with silver overlaid it; + Then upon the morning after, + Very early in the morning, + Pushed his boat into the water, + In the waves the hundred-boarded, + Pushed it from the barkless rollers, + From the rounded logs of pine-tree. + + Then he raised a mast upon it, + On the masts the sails he hoisted, 20 + Raised a red sail on the vessel, + And another blue in colour, + Then the boat himself he boarded, + And he walked upon the planking, + And upon the sea he steered it, + O'er the blue and plashing billows. + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: + "Enter, Jumala, my vessel, + Enter here, O thorn most gracious, 30 + Strengthen thou the hero's weakness, + And the weakling do thou cherish, + On these far-extending waters, + On the wide expanse of billows. + + "Breathe, O wind, upon the vessel, + Drive, O wave, the boat before thee, + That I need not row with fingers, + Nor may thus disturb the waters, + On the wide expanse of ocean, + Out upon the open ocean." 40 + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Night's fair daughter, maid of twilight, + Long before the day had risen, + Early in the morn had wakened, + And had washed her clothes and spread them, + And had rinsed and wrung the clothing, + Where the red steps reach the furthest, + Where the planking is the broadest, + Out upon the misty headland, + On the shady island's ending. 50 + + Then she turned and gazed around her, + In the cloudless air surrounding, + And she gazed aloft to heaven, + And from shore across the water, + And above the sun was shining, + And below the waves were gleaming. + + O'er the waves her eyes were glancing, + To the south her head was turning, + To the mouth of Suomi's river, + Where the stream of Vainola opens. 60 + On the sea a blotch she sighted, + Something blue among the billows. + + Then she spoke the words which follow, + And in terms like these expressed her: + "What's this speck upon the ocean, + What this blue upon the billows? + If it be a flock of wild geese, + Or of other beauteous birdies, + Let them on their rushing pinions + Soar aloft amid the heavens. 70 + + "If it be a shoal of salmon, + Or a shoal of other fishes, + Let them leap as they are swimming, + Plunging then beneath the water. + + "If it be a rocky island, + Or a stump amid the water, + Let the billows rise above it, + Or the waters drive it forward." + + Now the boat came gliding onward, + And the new boat sailed on swiftly 80 + Forward to the misty headland, + And the shady island's ending. + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Saw the vessel fast approaching, + Saw the hundred-boarded passing, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "If thou art my brother's vessels + Or the vessel of my father, + Then direct thy journey homeward, + To the shore the prow directing, 90 + Where the landing-stage is stationed, + While the stern is pointing from it. + If thou art a stranger vessel, + May'st thou swim at greater distance, + Towards another stage then hasten, + With the stern to this directed." + + 'Twas no vessel of her household, + Nor a boat from foreign regions, + But the boat of Vainamoinen, + Built by him, the bard primeval, 100 + And the boat approached quite closely, + Onward sailed in hailing distance, + Till a word, and then a second, + And a third were heard distinctly. + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Night's fair daughter, maid of twilight, + Hailed the boat as it approached her: + "Whither goest thou, Vainamoinen, + Whither, hero of the waters, + Wherefore, pride of all the country?" 110 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + From the boat made ready answer: + "I am going salmon-fishing, + Where the salmon-trout are spawning, + In the gloomy stream of Tuoni, + In the deep reed-bordered river." + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Tell me not such idle falsehoods! + Well I know the spawning season, 120 + For aforetime oft my father + And my grandsire; too, before him, + Often went a salmon-fishing, + And the salmon-trout to capture. + In the boats the nets were lying, + And the boats were full of tackle, + Here lay nets, here lines were resting, + And the beating-poles beside them; + And beneath the seats were tridents, + In the stern, long staves were lying. 130 + Whither goest thou, Vainamoinen, + Wherefore, O Uvantolainen?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Forth in search of geese I wander, + Where the bright-winged birds are sporting, + And the slimy fish are catching, + In the deep sound of the Saxons, + Where the sea is wide and open." + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Answered in the words which follow: 140 + "Well I know who speaks me truly, + And can soon detect the liar, + For aforetime oft my father, + And my grandsire, too, before him, + Went abroad the geese to capture, + And to chase the red-beaked quarry, + And his bow was great, and tight-strung, + And the bow he drew was splendid, + And a black dog leashed securely, + In the stern was tightly tethered, 150 + On the strand the hounds were running, + And the whelps across the shingle; + Speak the truth, O Vainamoinen, + Whither do you take your journey?" + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "Wherefore take I not my journey, + Where a mighty fight is raging, + There to fight among my equals, + Where the greaves with blood are spattered, + Even to the knees all crimsoned?" 160 + + Annikki again insisted, + Loudly cried the tin-adorned one: + "Well I know the ways of battle, + For aforetime went my father + Where a mighty fight was raging, + There to fight among his equals, + And a hundred men were rowing, + And a thousand men were standing. + In the prow their bows were lying, + And beneath the seats their sword-blades. 170 + Speak the truth, and tell me truly, + Cease to lie, and speak sincerely. + Whither goest thou, Vainamoinen, + Wherefore, O Suvantolainen?" + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Answered in the words which follow: + "Come thou in my boat, O maiden, + In my boat, O maiden seat thee, + And the truth I then will tell thee, + Cease to lie, and speak sincerely." 180 + + Annikki, the tin-adorned one, + Cried aloud in indignation: + "May the wind assail thy vessel, + And the east wind fall upon it, + May thy boat capsize beneath thee, + And the prow sink down beneath thee, + If you will not tell me truly + Where you mean to take your journey, + If the truth you will not tell me, + And at last will end your lying." 190 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "All the truth I now will tell you, + Though at first I lied a little. + Forth I fare to woo a maiden, + Seek the favour of a maiden, + In the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola, for ever misty, + In the land where men are eaten, + Where they even drown the heroes." 200 + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Night's fair daughter, maid of twilight, + When she knew the truth for certain, + All the truth, without evasion, + Down she threw her caps unwashen, + And unrinsed she left the clothing, + On the bench she left them lying, + Where the red bridge has its ending, + In her hand her gown she gathered, + In her hand the folds collecting, 210 + And began from thence to hasten, + And with rapid pace she hurried, + Till at length she reached the smithy. + To the forge at once she hastened. + + There she found smith Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman. + And he forged a bench of iron, + And adorned it all with silver. + Cubit-high his head was sooted, + On his shoulders ash by fathoms. 220 + + Annikki the door then entered, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Smith and brother Ilmarinen, + Thou the great primeval craftsman, + Forge me now a weaver's shuttle, + Pretty rings to deck my fingers, + Golden earrings, two or three pairs, + Five or six linked girdles make me, + For most weighty truth I'll tell you, + All the truth without evasion." 230 + + Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + "If you tell me news important, + Then a shuttle will I forge you, + Pretty rings to deck your fingers, + And a cross upon your bosom, + And the finest head-dress forge you. + If the words you speak are evil, + All your ornaments I'll shatter, + Tear them off to feed the furnace, + And beneath the forge will thrust them." 240 + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Answered in the words which follow: + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Do you still propose to marry + Her, the bride who once was promised, + And as wife was pledged unto you? + + "While you weld and hammer always, + Ever working with your hammer, + Making horseshoes in the summer, + Iron horseshoes for the winter, 250 + Working at your sledge at night-time, + And its frame in daytime shaping, + Forth to journey to your wooing, + And to Pohjola to travel, + One more cunning goes before you, + And another speeds beyond you, + And your own will capture from you, + And your love will ravish from you, + Whom two years ago thou sawest, + Whom two years agone thou wooed'st. 260 + Know that Vainamoinen journeys + O'er the blue waves of the ocean, + In a boat with prow all golden, + Steering with his copper rudder, + To the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola, for ever misty." + + To the smith came grievous trouble. + To the iron-worker sorrow. + From his grasp the tongs slid downward, + From his hand he dropped the hammer. 270 + + Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + "Annikki, my little sister, + I will forge you now a shuttle. + Pretty rings to deck your fingers, + Golden earrings, two or three pairs, + Five or six linked girdles make you. + Warm for me the pleasant bathroom, + Fill the room with fragrant vapour, + Let the logs you burn be small ones, + And the fire with chips be kindled, 280 + And prepare me too some ashes, + And some soap in haste provide me, + That I wash my head and cleanse it, + And I may make white my body + From the coal-dust of the autumn, + From the forge throughout the winter." + + Annikki, whose name was famous, + Heated secretly the bathroom, + With the boughs the wind had broken, + And the thunderbolt had shattered. 290 + Stones she gathered from the river, + Heated them till they were ready, + Cheerfully she fetched the water, + From the holy well she brought it, + Broke some bath-whisks from the bushes, + Charming bath-whisks from the thickets, + And she warmed the honeyed bath-whisks, + On the honeyed stones she warmed them, + Then with milk she mixed the ashes, + And she made him soap of marrow, 300 + And she worked the soap to lather, + Kneaded then the soap to lather, + That his head might cleanse the bridegroom, + And might cleanse himself completely. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Wrought the maiden what she wished for, + And he wrought a splendid head-dress, + While she made the bathroom ready, + And she put the bath in order. 310 + In her hands he placed the trinkets, + And the maiden thus addressed him: + "Now the bathroom's filled with vapour, + And the vapour-bath I've heated, + And have steeped the bath-whisks nicely, + Choosing out the best among them. + Bathe, O brother, at your pleasures, + Pouring water as you need it, + Wash your head to flaxen colour, + Till your eyes shine out like snowflakes." 320 + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Went to take the bath he needed, + There he bathed himself at pleasure, + And he washed himself to whiteness, + Washed his eyes until they sparkled, + And his temples till they glistened, + And his neck to hen's-egg whiteness, + And his body all was shining. + From the bath the room he entered, + Changed so much they scarcely knew him, 330 + For his face it shone with beauty, + And his cheeks were cleansed and rosy. + + Then he spoke the words which follow: + "Annikki, my little sister, + Bring me now a shirt of linen, + And the best of raiment bring me, + That I robe myself completely, + And may deck me like a bridegroom." + + Annikki, the ever-famous, + Brought him then a shirt of linen, 340 + For his limbs no longer sweating, + For his body all uncovered. + Then she brought well-fitting trousers, + Which his mother had been sewing, + For his hips, no longer sooty, + And his legs were fully covered. + + Then she brought him finest stockings, + Which, as maid, had wove his mother, + And with these his shins he covered, + And his calves were hidden by them. 350 + Then she brought him shoes that fitted, + Best of Saxon boots she brought him, + And with these the stockings covered + Which his mother sewed as maiden; + Then a coat of blue she chose him, + With a liver-coloured lining, + Covering thus the shirt of linen, + Which of finest flax was fashioned, + Then an overcoat of woollen, + Of four kinds of cloth constructed, 360 + O'er the coat of bluish colour, + Of the very latest fashion, + And a new fur, thousand-buttoned, + And a hundredfold more splendid, + O'er the overcoat of woollen, + And the cloth completely hiding; + Round his waist a belt she fastened, + And the belt was gold-embroidered, + Which his mother wrought as maiden, + Wrought it when a fair-haired maiden, 370 + Brightly-coloured gloves she brought him, + Gold-embroidered, for his fingers, + Which the Lapland children fashioned; + On his handsome hands he drew them, + Then a high-crowned hat she brought him + (On his golden locks she placed it) + Which his father once had purchased, + When as bridegroom he adorned him. + + Thus the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Clothed himself, and made him ready, 380 + Robed himself, and made him handsome, + And his servant he commanded: + "Yoke me now a rapid courser, + In the sledge adorned so finely, + That I start upon my journey, + And to Pohjola may travel." + + Thereupon the servant answered, + "Horses six are in the stable, + Horses six, on oats that fatten; + Which among them shall I yoke you?" 390 + + Said the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + "Take the best of all the stallions, + Put the foal into the harness, + Yoke before the sledge the chestnut, + Then provide me with six cuckoos, + Seven blue birds at once provide me, + That upon the frame they perch them, + And may sing their cheerful music, + That the fair ones may behold them, + And the maidens be delighted. 400 + Then provide me with a bearskin, + That I seat myself upon it, + And a second hide of walrus, + That the bright-hued sledge is covered." + + Thereupon the skilful servant, + He the servant paid with wages, + Put the colt into the harness, + Yoked before the sledge the chestnut, + And provided six fine cuckoos, + Seven blue birds at once provided, 410 + That upon the frame should perch them, + And should sing their cheerful music; + And a bearskin next provided, + That his lord should sit upon it, + And another hide of walrus, + And with this the sledge he covered. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Sent aloft his prayer to Ukko, + And he thus besought the Thunderer: 420 + "Scatter forth thy snow, O Ukko, + Let the snowflakes soft be drifted, + That the sledge may glide o'er snowfields, + O'er the snow-drifts gliding swiftly." + + Then the snow did Ukko scatter, + And the snowflakes soft were drifted, + Till the heath-stems all were covered, + On the ground the berry-bushes. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + In his sledge of iron sat him, 430 + And he spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: + "On my reins attend good fortune, + Jumala my sledge protecting, + That my reins good fortune fail not, + Nor my sledge may break, O Jumala!" + + In one hand the reins he gathered, + And the whip he grasped with other, + O'er the horse the whip he brandished, + And he spoke the words which follow: 440 + "Whitebrow, speed thou quickly onward, + Haste away, O flaxen-maned one." + + On the way the horse sprang forward, + On the water's sandy margin, + By the shores of Sound of Sima, + Past the hills with alders covered. + On the shore the sledge went rattling, + On the beach the shingle clattered. + In his eyes the sand was flying, + To his breast splashed up the water. 450 + Thus he drove one day, a second, + Drove upon the third day likewise, + And at length upon the third day, + Overtook old Vainamoinen, + And he spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: + "O thou aged Vainamoinen, + Let us make a friendly compact, + That although we both are seeking, + And we both would woo the maiden, 460 + Yet by force we will not seize her, + Nor against her will shall wed her." + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + "I will make a friendly compact, + That we will not seize the maiden, + Nor against her will shall wed her. + Let the maiden now be given + To the husband whom she chooses, + That we nurse not long vexation, + Nor a lasting feud be fostered." 470 + + Further on their way they travelled, + On the path that each had chosen; + Sped the boat, the shore re-echoed, + Ran the horse, the earth resounded. + + But a short time passed thereafter, + Very short the time elapsing, + Ere the grey-brown dog was barking, + And the house-dog loudly baying, + In the gloomy land of Pohja, + Sariola, for ever cloudy, 480 + Sooner still the dog was growling, + But with less-continued growling, + By the borders of the cornfield, + 'Gainst the ground his tail was wagging. + + Then exclaimed the Lord of Pohja, + "Go, my daughter, to discover + Why the grey-brown dog is barking, + And the long-eared dog is baying." + + But the daughter made him answer: + "I have not the time, my father, 490 + I must clean the largest cowshed, + Tend our herd of many cattle, + Grind the corn between the millstones, + Through the sieve must sift the flour, + Grind the corn to finest flour, + And the grinder is but feeble." + + Gently barked the castle's Hiisi, + And again the dog was growling, + And again said Pohja's Master: + "Go, old dame, and look about you, 500 + See why barks the grey-brown house-dog, + Why the castle-dog is growling." + + But the old dame made him answer: + "This is not a time for talking, + For my household cares are heavy, + And I must prepare the dinner, + And must bake a loaf enormous, + And for this the dough be kneading, + Bake the loaf of finest flour, + And the baker is but feeble." 510 + + Thereupon said Pohja's Master: + "Women they are always hurried, + And the maidens always busy, + When before the stove they roast them, + When they in their beds are lying; + Son, go you, and look around you." + + Thereupon the son made answer: + "I've no time to look about me; + I must grind the blunted hatchet, + Chop a log of wood to pieces, 520 + Chop to bits the largest wood-pile, + And to faggots small reduce it. + Large the pile, and small the faggots, + And the workman of the weakest." + + Still the castle-dog was barking, + And the yard-dog still was barking, + And the furious whelp was baying, + And the island watch-dog howling, + Sitting by the furthest cornfield, + And his tail was briskly wagging. 530 + + Then again said Pohja's Master, + "Not for nought the dog is barking, + Never has he barked for nothing, + Never growls he at the fir-trees." + + So he went to reconnoitre, + And he walked across the courtyard, + To the cornfield's furthest borders, + To the path beyond the ploughed land. + Gazed he where the dog's snout pointed, + Where he saw his muzzle pointing, 540 + To the hill where storms are raging, + To the hills where grow the alders, + Then he saw the truth most clearly, + Why the grey-brown dog was barking, + And the pride of earth was baying, + And the woolly-tailed one howling, + For he saw a red boat sailing + Out amid the Bay of Lempi, + And a handsome sledge was driving + On the shore of Sound of Sima. 550 + + After this the Lord of Pohja + To the house returned directly, + And beneath the roof he hastened, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "There are strangers swiftly sailing + O'er the blue lake's watery surface, + And a gaudy sledge is gliding + On the shore of Sound of Sima; + And a large boat is approaching + To the shore of Bay of Lempi." 560 + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Whence shall we obtain an omen + Why these strangers here are coming? + O my little waiting-maiden, + On the fire lay rowan-faggots. + And the best log in its glowing. + If the log with blood is flowing, + Then the strangers come for battle, + If the log exudes clear water, + Then is peace abiding with us." 570 + + Then the little maid of Pohja, + She, the modest waiting-maiden, + On the fire laid rowan-faggots, + Placed the best log in its glowing. + From the log no blood was trickling, + Nor did water trickle from it; + From the log there oozed forth honey, + From the log dripped down the nectar. + + From the corner spoke Suovakko, + Spoke the old dame 'neath the blankets: 580 + "From the log if oozes honey, + From the log if drips the nectar, + Then the strangers who are coming, + May be ranked as noble suitors." + + Then did Pohja's aged Mistress, + Pohja's old dame, Pohja's daughter, + To the courtyard fencing hasten, + Hurry quick across the courtyard, + And they gazed across the water, + To the south their heads then turning, 590 + And they saw from thence approaching, + Swift a ship of novel fashion, + Of a hundred planks constructed, + Out upon the Bay of Lempi. + Underneath the boat looked bluish, + But the sails of crimson colour. + In the stern there sat a hero, + At the copper rudder's handle, + And they saw a stallion trotting + With a red sledge strange of aspect, 600 + And the gaudy sledge was speeding + On the shore of Sound of Sima, + And they saw six golden cuckoos, + Perching on the frame, and calling, + Seven blue birds were likewise perching + On the reins, and these were singing; + And a stalwart hero, sitting + In the sledge, the reins was holding. + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + And she spoke the words which follow: 610 + "Whom will you accept as husband, + If they really come to woo you, + As a life-companion woo you, + Dove-like in his arms to nestle? + + "He who in the boat is sailing, + In the red boat fast approaching, + Out upon the Bay of Lempi, + Is the aged Vainamoinen. + In the boat he brings provisions, + And of treasures brings a cargo. 620 + + "He who in the sledge is driving, + In the gaudy sledge is speeding, + On the shore of Sound of Sima, + Is the smith named Ilmarinen. + He with empty hands is coming; + Filled his sledge with spells of magic. + + "Therefore if the room they enter, + Bring them then the mead in tankard, + In the two-eared tankard bring it, + And in his hands place the tankard 630 + Whom thou dost desire to follow; + Choose thou Vainola's great hero, + He whose boat with wealth is loaded, + And of treasures brings a cargo." + + But the lovely maid of Pohja, + Thus made answer to her mother: + "O my mother who hast borne me, + O my mother who hast reared me, + Nothing do I care for riches, + Nor a man profound in wisdom, 640 + But a man of lofty forehead, + One whose every limb is handsome. + Never once in former ages, + Gave a maid her life in thiswise. + I, a maid undowered, will follow + Ilmarinen, skilful craftsman, + He it was who forged the Sampo, + And the coloured cover welded." + + Then said Pohja's aged Mistress, + "O indeed, my child, my lambkin, 650 + If you go with Ilmarinen, + From whose brow the sweat falls freely, + You must wash the blacksmith's aprons, + And the blacksmith's head wash likewise." + + But the daughter gave her answer, + In the very words which follow: + "Him from Vainola I choose not, + Nor an aged man will care for, + For an old man is a nuisance, + And an aged man would vex me." 660 + + Then did aged Vainamoinen + Reach his journey's end the soonest, + And he steered his crimson vessel, + Brought his boat of bluish colour + To the rollers steel-constructed, + To the landing-stage of copper. + After this the house he entered, + Underneath the roof he hastened, + And upon the floor spoke loudly, + Near the door beneath the rafters, 670 + And he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in thiswise: + "Wilt thou come with me, O maiden, + Evermore as my companion, + Wife-like on my knees to seat thee, + In my arms as dove to nestle?" + + Then the lovely maid of Pohja, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Have you then the boat constructed, + Built the large and handsome vessel, 680 + From the splinters of my spindle, + From the fragments of my shuttle?" + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Answered in the words which follow: + "I have built a noble vessel + And a splendid boat constructed, + Strongly built to face the tempests, + And the winds its course opposing, + As It cleaves the tossing billows, + O'er the surface of the water, 690 + Bladder-like amid the surges, + As a leaf, by current drifted, + Over Pohjola's wide waters, + And across the foaming billows." + + Then the lovely maid of Pohja, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Nothing do I reck of seamen, + Heroes boasting of the billows! + Drives the wind their minds to ocean, + And their thoughts the east wind saddens: 700 + Therefore thee I cannot follow, + Never pledge myself unto thee, + Evermore as thy companion, + In thy arms as dove to nestle, + Spread the couch whereon thou sleepest, + For thy head arrange the pillows." + + + + +RUNO XIX.--THE EXPLOITS AND BETROTHAL OF ILMARINEN + + +_Argument_ + +Ilmarinen arrives at the homestead of Pohjola, woos the daughter of the +house, and perilous tasks are assigned to him (1-32). Aided by the +advice of the Maiden of Pohja he succeeds in performing the tasks +successfully. Firstly, he ploughs a field of serpent, secondly, he +captures the Bear of Tuoni and the Wolf of Manala, and thirdly, he +captures a large and terrible pike in the river of Tuonela (33-344). The +Mistress of Pohjola promises and betroths her daughter to Ilmarinen +(345-498). Vainamoinen returns from Pohjola in low spirits, and warns +every one against going wooing in company with a younger man (499-518). + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, + Came himself into the chamber, + And beneath the roof he hastened. + + Brought the maid of mead a beaker, + Placed a can of drink of honey + In the hands of Ilmarinen, + And the smith spoke out as follows: + "Never while my life is left me, + Long as shines the golden moonlight, 10 + Will I taste the drink before me, + Till my own is granted to me, + She for whom so long I waited, + She for whom so long I pined for." + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + In the very words which follow: + "Trouble great befalls the suitor, + Comes to her for whom he waiteth; + One shoe still remains unfitted, + And unfitted is the other; 20 + But the bride is waiting for you, + And you may indeed receive her, + If you plough the field of vipers, + Where the writhing snakes are swarming, + But without a plough employing, + And without a ploughshare guiding. + Once the field was ploughed by Hiisi, + Lempo seamed it next with furrows, + With the ploughshare formed of copper, + With the plough in furnace smelted; 30 + But my own son, most unhappy, + Left the half untilled behind him." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Sought the maiden in her chamber, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Night's own daughter, twilight maiden, + Do you not the time remember, + When I forged the Sampo for you, + And the brilliant cover welded, + And a binding oath thou sweared'st, 40 + By the God whom all men worship, + 'Fore the face of Him Almighty, + And you gave a certain promise + Unto me, the mighty hero, + You would be my friend for ever, + Dove-like in my arms to nestle? + Nothing will your mother grant me, + Nor will she her daughter give me, + Till I plough the field of vipers, + Where the writhing snakes are swarming." 50 + + Then his bride assistance lent him, + And advice the maiden gave him: + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Thou the great primeval craftsman! + Forge thyself a plough all golden, + Cunningly bedecked with silver, + Then go plough the field of serpents, + Where the writhing snakes are swarming." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Laid the gold upon the anvil, 60 + Worked the bellows on the silver, + And he forged the plough he needed, + And he forged him shoes of iron; + Greaves of steel he next constructed, + And with these his feet he covered, + Those upon his shins he fastened; + And he donned an iron mail-coat, + With a belt of steel he girt him, + Took a pair of iron gauntlets, + Gauntlets like to stone for hardness; 70 + Then he chose a horse of mettle, + And he yoked the steed so noble, + And he went to plough the acre, + And the open field to furrow. + There he saw the heads all rearing, + Saw the heads that hissed unceasing, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "O thou snake, whom God created, + You who lift your head so proudly, + Who is friendly and will hearken, 80 + Rearing up your head so proudly, + And your neck so proudly lifting; + From my path at once remove you, + Creep, thou wretch, among the stubble, + Creeping down among the bushes, + Or where greenest grass is growing! + If you lift your head from out it, + Ukko then your head shall shatter, + With his sharp and steel-tipped arrows, + With a mighty hail of iron." 90 + + Then he ploughed the field of vipers, + Furrowed all the land of serpents, + From the furrows raised the vipers, + Drove the serpents all before him, + And he said, returning homeward: + "I have ploughed the field of vipers, + Furrowed all the land of serpents, + Driven before me all the serpents: + Will you give me now your daughter, + And unite me with my darling?" 100 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answer in the words which follow: + "I will only give the maiden, + And unite you with my daughter, + If you catch the Bear of Tuoni, + Bridle, too, the Wolf of Mana, + Far in Tuonela's great forest, + In the distant realms of Mana. + Hundreds have gone forth to yoke them; + Never one returned in safety." 110 + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Sought the maiden in her chamber, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Now the task is laid upon me, + Manala's fierce wolves to bridle, + And to hunt the bears of Tuoni, + Far in Tuonela's great forest, + In the distant realms of Mana." + + Then his bride assistance lent him, + And advice the maiden gave him. 120 + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Thou the great primeval craftsman! + Forge thee bits, of steel the hardest, + Forge thee muzzles wrought of iron, + Sitting on a rock in water, + Where the cataracts fall all foaming. + Hunt thou then the Bears of Tuoni, + And the Wolves of Mana bridle." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + He the great primeval craftsman, 130 + Forged him bits, of steel the hardest, + Forged him muzzles wrought of iron, + Sitting on a rock in water, + Where the cataracts fall all foaming. + + Then he went the beasts to fetter, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Terhenetar, Cloudland's daughter! + With the cloud-sieve sift thou quickly, + And disperse thy mists around me, + Where the beasts I seek are lurking, 140 + That they may not hear me moving, + That they may not flee before me." + + Then the Wolf's great jaws he muzzled, + And with iron the Bear he fettered, + On the barren heaths of Tuoni, + In the blue depths of the forest. + And he said, returning homeward: + "Give me now your daughter, old one. + Here I bring the Bear of Tuoni, + And the Wolf of Mana muzzled." 150 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Answer in the words which follow: + "I will give you first the duckling, + And the blue-winged duck will give you, + When the pike, so huge and scaly, + He the fish so plump and floundering. + You shall bring from Tuoni's river, + And from Manala's abysses; + But without a net to lift it, + Using not a hand to grasp it. 160 + Hundreds have gone forth to seek it, + Never one returned in safety." + + Then there came distress upon him, + And affliction overwhelmed him, + As he sought the maiden's chamber, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Now a task is laid upon me, + Greater still than all the former; + For the pike, so huge and scaly, + He the fish so plump and floundering, 170 + I must bring from Tuoni's river, + From the eternal stream of Mana, + But with neither snare nor drag-net, + Nor with help of other tackle." + + Then his bride assistance lent him, + And advice the maiden gave him. + "O thou smith, O Ilmarinen, + Do thou not be so despondent! + Forge thee now a fiery eagle. + Forge a bird of fire all flaming! 180 + This the mighty pike shall capture, + Drag the fish so plump and floundering, + From the murky stream of Tuoni, + And from Manala's abysses." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Deathless artist of the smithy, + Forged himself a fiery eagle, + Forged a bird of fire all flaming, + And of iron he forged the talons, + Forged the claws of steel the hardest, 190 + Wings like sides of boat constructed; + Then upon the wings he mounted, + On the eagle's back he sat him, + On the wing-bones of the eagle. + + Then he spoke unto the eagle, + And the mighty bird instructed: + "O my eagle, bird I fashioned, + Fly thou forth, where I shall order, + To the turbid stream of Tuoni, + And to Manala's abysses: 200 + Seize the pike, so huge and scaly, + He the fish so plump and floundering." + + Then the bird, that noble eagle, + Took his flight, and upward soarings, + Forth he flew the pike to capture, + Fish with teeth of size terrific, + In the river-depths of Tuoni, + Down in Manala's abysses: + To the water stretched a pinion, + And the other touched the heavens; 210 + In the sea he dipped his talons, + On the cliffs his beak he whetted. + + Thus the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Journeyed forth to seek his booty + In the depths of Tuoni's river, + While the eagle watched beside him. + From the water rose a kelpie + And it clutched at Ilmarinen, + By the neck the eagle seized it, + And the kelpie's head he twisted. 220 + To the bottom down he forced it, + To the black mud at the bottom. + + Then came forth the pike of Tuoni, + And the water-dog came onward. + Not a small pike of the smallest, + Nor a large pike of the largest; + Long his tongue as twain of axe-shafts, + Long his teeth as rake-shaft measures, + Wide his gorge as three great rivers, + Seven boats' length his back extended, 230 + And the smith he sought to seize on, + And to swallow Ilmarinen. + + But the eagle rushed against him, + And the bird of air attacked him; + Not an eagle of the small ones, + Nor an eagle of the large ones. + Long his beak as hundred fathoms, + Wide his gorge as six great rivers, + Six spears' length his tongue extended, + Five scythes' length his talons measured 240 + And he saw the pike so scaly, + Saw the fish so plump and floundering. + Fiercely on the fish he darted, + Rushed against the fish so scaly. + + Then the pike so large and scaly, + He the fish so plump and floundering, + Tried to drag the eagle's pinions + Underneath the sparkling waters, + But the eagle swift ascended, + Up into the air he raised him, 250 + From the grimy ooze he raised him, + To the sparkling water o'er it. + + Back and forth the eagle hovered, + And again he made an effort, + And he struck one talon fiercely + In the pike's terrific shoulders, + In the water-dog's great backbone, + And he fixed the other talon + Firmly in the steel-hard mountain, + In the rocks as hard as iron. 260 + From the stone slipped off the talon, + Slipped from off the rocky mountain, + And the pike again dived downward, + In the water slid the monster, + Slipped from off the eagle's talons, + From the great bird's claws terrific, + But his sides were scored most deeply, + And his shoulders cleft asunder. + + Once again, with iron talons, 270 + Swooped again the furious eagle, + With his wings all fiery glowing, + And his eyes like flame that sparkled, + Seized the pike with mighty talons, + Grasped the water-dog securely, + Dragged the huge and scaly monster, + Raised him from the tossing water, + From the depths beneath the billows, + To the water's sparkling surface. + + Then the bird with claws of iron + Made a third and final effort, 280 + Brought the mighty pike of Tuoni, + He the fish so plump and floundering, + From the river dark of Tuoni, + And from Manala's abysses. + Scarce like water flowed the water + From the great pike's scales stupendous; + Nor like air the air extended + When the great bird flapped his pinions. + + Thus the iron-taloned eagle + Bore the pike so huge and scaly, 290 + To the branches of an oak-tree, + To a pine-tree's crown, wide spreading. + There he feasted on the booty, + Open ripped the fish's belly, + Tore away the fish's breastbone, + And the head and neck he sundered. + + Said the smith, said Ilmarinen, + "O thou wicked, wicked eagle, + What a faithless bird I find you, + You have seized upon the quarry, 300 + And you have feasted on the booty, + Open ripped the fish's belly, + Torn away the fish's breastbone, + And the head and neck have sundered." + + But the iron-taloned eagle + Rose and soared away in fury, + High aloft in air he raised him, + To the borders of the cloudland. + Fled the clouds, the heavens were thundering, + And the props of air bowed downward: 310 + Ukko's bow in twain was broken, + In the moon the horns sharp-pointed. + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Took the pike's head, which he carried, + To the old crone as a present, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Make of this a chair for ever, + In the halls of lofty Pohja." + + Then he spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed him: 320 + "I have ploughed the field of serpents, + Furrowed all the land of serpents; + Bridled, too, the wolves of Mana, + And have chained the bears of Tuoni; + Brought the pike so huge and scaly, + He the fish so plump and floundering, + From the river deep of Tuoni, + And from Manala's abysses. + Will you give me now the maiden, + And bestow your daughter on me?" 330 + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Badly have you done your errand, + Thus the head in twain to sever, + Open rip the fish's belly, + Tear away the fish's breastbone, + Feasting thus upon the booty." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + Answered in the words that follow: + "Never can you bring, undamaged, + Quarry from the best of regions. 340 + This is brought from Tuoni's river, + And from Manala's abysses. + Is not yet the maiden ready, + She for whom I longed and laboured?" + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Answer in the words which follow: + "Yes, the maiden now is ready. + She for whom you longed and laboured. + I will give my tender duckling, + And prepare the duck I cherished, 350 + For the smith, for Ilmarinen, + At his side to sit for ever, + On his knee as wife to seat her, + Dove-like in his arms to nestle." + + On the floor a child was sitting, + On the floor a child was singing: + "To our room there came already, + Came a bird into our castle; + From the north-east flew an eagle, + Through the sky a hawk came flying, 360 + In the air one wing was flapping, + On the sea the other rested, + With his tail he swept the ocean, + And to heaven his head he lifted; + And he gazed around, and turned him, + Back and forth the eagle hovered, + Perched upon the heroes' castle, + And his beak he whetted on it, + But the roof was formed of iron, + And he could not pierce within it. 370 + + "So he gazed around and turned him, + Back and forth the eagle hovered, + Perched upon the women's castle, + And his beak he whetted on it, + But the roof was formed of copper, + And he could not pierce within it. + + "So he gazed around and turned him, + Back and forth the eagle hovered, + Perched upon the maidens' castle, + And his beak he whetted on it, 380 + And the roof was formed of linen, + And he forced his way within it. + + "Then he perched upon the chimney, + Then upon the floor descended, + Pushed aside the castle's shutter, + Sat him at the castle window, + Near the wall, all green his feathers, + In the room, his plumes a hundred. + + "Then he scanned the braidless maidens, + Gazing on the long-haired maiden, 390 + On the best of all the maidens, + Fairest maid with hair unbraided, + And her head with beads was shining, + And her head with beauteous blossoms. + + "In his claws the eagle seized her, + And the hawk with talons grasped her, + Seized the best of all the party, + Of the flock of ducks the fairest, + She the sweetest-voiced and tenderest, + She the rosiest and the whitest, 400 + She the bird of air selected, + In his talons far he bore her, + She who held her head the highest, + And her form of all the shapeliest, + And her feathers of the finest, + And her plumage of the softest." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Answer in the words that follow: + "Wherefore dost thou know, my darling, + Or hast heard, my golden apple, 410 + How the maiden grew amongst us, + And her flaxen hair waved round her? + Perhaps the maiden shone with silver, + Or the maiden's gold was famous. + Has our sun been shining on you, + Or the moon afar been shining?" + + From the floor the child made answer, + And the growing child responded: + "Therefore did your darling know it, + And your fostling learned to know it. 420 + In the far-famed maidens' dwelling, + In the home where dwells the fair one; + Good report rejoiced the father, + When he launched his largest vessel; + But rejoices more the mother, + When the largest loaf is baking, + And the wheaten bread is baking, + That the guests may feast profusely. + + "Thus it was your darling knew it, + Far around the strangers knew it, 430 + How the young maid grew in stature, + And how tall grew up the maiden. + Once I went into the courtyard, + And I wandered to the storehouse, + Very early in the morning, + In the earliest morning hours, + And the soot in streaks ascended, + And the smoke in clouds rose upward, + From the far-famed maiden's dwelling, + From the blooming maiden's homestead, 440 + And the maid herself was grinding, + Busy working at the handmill; + Rung the mill like call of cuckoo, + And the pestle quacked like wild geese, + And the sieve like bird was singing, + And the stones like beads were rattling. + + "Forth a second time I wandered, + And into the field I wandered, + In the meadow was the maiden, + Stooping o'er the yellow heather; 450 + Working at the red-stained dye-pots, + Boiling up the yellow kettles. + + "When I wandered forth a third time + Sat the maid beneath the window, + There I heard the maiden weaving, + In her hands the comb was sounding, + And I heard the shuttle flying, + As in cleft of rock the ermine, + And the comb-teeth heard I sounding, + As the wooden shaft was moving, 460 + And the weaver's beam was turning, + Like a squirrel in the tree-tops." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Answer in the words which follow: + "Bravo, bravo, dearest maiden, + Have I not for ever told thee, + Not to sing among the pine-trees, + Not to sing amid the valleys, + Not to arch thy neck too proudly, + Nor thy white arms leave uncovered, 470 + Nor thy young and beauteous bosom, + Nor thy shape so round and graceful? + + "I have warned thee all the autumn, + And besought thee all the summer, + Likewise in the spring have cautioned, + At the second springtide sowing, + To construct a secret dwelling, + With the windows small and hidden, + Where the maids may do their weaving, + And may work their looms in safety, 480 + All unheard by Suomi's gallants, + Suomi's gallants, country lovers." + + From the floor the child made answer, + And the fortnight-old responded: + "Easily a horse is hidden + In the stall, with fine-tailed horses; + Hard it is to hide a maiden, + And to keep her long locks hidden. + Though you build of stone a castle, + And amid the sea shall rear it, 490 + Though you keep your maidens in it, + And should rear your darlings in it, + Still the girls cannot be hidden, + Nor attain their perfect stature, + Undisturbed by lusty gallants, + Lusty gallants, country lovers. + Mighty men, with lofty helmets, + Men who shoe with steel their horses." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Head bowed down, and deeply grieving: 500 + Wandered on his journey homeward, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Woe is me, a wretched creature, + That I did not learn it sooner, + That In youthful days one weddeth, + And must choose a life-companion. + All thing else a man may grieve for, + Save indeed an early marriage, + When in youth already children, + And a household he must care for." 510 + + Thus did warn old Vainamoinen, + Cautioned thus Suvantolainen, + That old men against the younger, + Should not struggle for a fair one: + Warned them not to swim too proudly, + Neither try to race in rowing, + Nor to seek to woo a maiden, + With a younger man contending. + + + + +RUNO XX.--THE GREAT OX, AND THE BREWING OF THE ALE + + +_Argument_ + +An enormous ox is slaughtered in Pohjola (1-118). They brew ale and +prepare a feast (119-516). They dispatch messengers to invite the heroes +to the wedding, but Lemminkainen is expressly passed over (517-614). + + How shall we our song continue, + And what legends shall we tell you? + Thus will we pursue our story; + These the legends we will tell you; + How in Pohjola they feasted, + And the drinking-bout was Godlike. + + Long prepared they for the wedding, + For the feast provided all things, + In the household famed of Pohja, + Halls of Sariola the misty. 10 + + What provisions were provided, + What did they collect together, + For a lengthy feast at Pohja, + For the multitude of drinkers, + For the feasting of the people, + For the multitude of feasters? + + In Carelia grew a bullock, + Fat the ox they reared in Suomi, + Not a large one, not a small one, + But a calf of middle stature. 20 + While he switched his tail in Hame + Stooped his head to Kemi's river, + Long his horns one hundred fathoms, + Muzzle broad as half a hundred, + For a week there ran an ermine + All along the yoke he carried, + All day long there flew a swallow + 'Twixt the mighty ox's horn-tips, + Striving through the space to hasten, + Nor found resting-place between them; 30 + Month-long ran a summer-squirrel + From his neck unto his tail-end, + Nor did he attain the tail-tip, + Till a month had quite passed over. + + 'Twas this calf of size stupendous, + 'Twas this mighty bull of Suomi, + Whom they led forth from Carelia + Till they reached the fields of Pohja. + By his horns, a hundred led him, + And a thousand dragged his muzzle, 40 + And they led the ox still further, + Till to Pohjola they brought him. + + On his road the ox proceeded + By the Sound of Sariola strayed; + Browsed the grass in marshy places, + While his back the clouds were touching; + But they could not find a butcher, + Who could fell the country's marvel + On the list of Suomi's children, + 'Mid the mighty host of people, 50 + Not among the youthful people, + Nor among the very aged. + + From afar an old man journeyed + Virokannas from Carelia; + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Wait thous wait, thou ox unhappy, + While I go and fetch my mallet. + If I strike you with my mallet + On the skull, unhappy creature, + Never in another summer, 60 + Would you turn about your muzzle, + Or your tail would jerk around you, + Here among the fields of Pohja, + By the Sound of Sariola stray." + + Then the old man went to strike him, + Virokannas moved against him, + Went to slay the ox unhappy; + But his head the ox was turning, + And his black eyes he was blinking. + To a pine-tree sprang the old man, 70 + Virokannas in the bushes, + In the scrubby willow-thicket. + + After this they sought a butcher, + Who the mighty ox could slaughter, + From Carelia's lovely country, + From the vast expanse of Suomi, + From the peaceful land of Russia, + From the hardy land of Sweden, + From the regions wide of Lapland, + From the mighty land of Turja, 80 + And they sought through Tuoni's regions, + In the depths of Mana's kingdom, + And they sought, but no one found they, + Long they searched; but vainly searched they. + + Yet again they sought a butcher, + Sought again to find a slaughterer, + On the ocean's shining surface, + On the wide-extending billows. + From the dark sea rose a hero, + Rose a hero from the sea-swell, 90 + From the shining surface rising, + From the wide expanse of water. + He was not among the greatest, + But in nowise of the smallest. + In a bowl would he lie sleeping, + And beneath a sieve stand upright. + + 'Twas an old man, iron-fisted, + Iron-coloured, too, to gaze on; + On his head a stony helmet; + Shoes of stone his feet protected; 100 + In his hand a knife, gold-bladed, + And the haft o'erlaid with copper. + + Thus the people found a butcher, + And at length they found a slaughterer, + Who should fell the bull of Suomi, + And should fell the country's marvel. + Scarce had he beheld the quarry, + Than at once his neck he shattered, + On his knees he forced the bullock, + And upon his side he threw him. 110 + Did he yield them much provisions? + Not so very much he yielded. + Of his flesh a hundred barrels, + And a hundred fathoms sausage; + Seven boat-loads of blood they gathered, + Six large casks with fat were loaded, + All for Pohjola's great banquet, + Feast of Sariola the misty. + + Then they built a house in Pohja, + Built a house with hall enormous, 120 + Fathoms nine its sides extended, + And the breadth thereof was seven. + If a cock crowed at the smoke-hole, + Underneath they could not hear it, + If a dog at end was barking, + At the door they did not hear it. + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Walk across the flooring's planking, + To the middle of the chamber, + And she pondered and reflected: 130 + "How shall I get ale sufficient, + And shall brew the beer most wisely, + To prepare it for the wedding, + When the beer will much be needed? + How to brew the beer I know not, + Nor how ale was first concocted." + + By the stove there sat an old man, + From the stove spoke up the old man: + "Ale of barley is concocted, + And the drink with hops is flavoured, 140 + Yet they brew not save with water, + And the aid of furious fire. + + "Hop is called the son of Revel; + Planted in the ground when little, + With a plough they ploughed the region, + Like an ant, away they cast him + Close to Kaleva's great well-spring, + There where Osmo's field is sloping; + There the tender plant sprang upward, + And the green shoot mounted quickly. 150 + Up a little tree it mounted, + Rising to the leafy summit. + + "Sowed, by chance, an old man barley, + In the fresh-ploughed field of Osmo, + And the barley sprouted bravely, + And It grew and flourished greatly, + On the new-ploughed field of Osmo, + Kaleva's descendant's cornland. + + "But a little time passed over, + When the hops exclaimed from tree-top, 160 + And upon the field the barley, + And in Kaleva's well-water, + 'When shall we be yoked together, + Each with other be united? + Life in solitude is weary; + Better two or three together.' + + "Osmotar, the ale-constructer + She, the maid who beer concocted, + Took, on this, the grains of barley, + Gathered six of grains of barley, 170 + Seven hop-tassels next she gathered, + And eight ladles took of water, + Then upon the fire she placed it, + And allowed it there to simmer, + And she boiled the ale of barley + Through the fleeting days of summer, + Out upon the cloudy headland, + Cape upon the shady island; + Poured it then in wooden barrels, + And in tubs of birchwood stored it. 180 + + "Thus she brewed the ale and stored it, + But the ale was not fermented, + And she pondered and reflected, + And she spoke the words which follow: + 'What must now be added to it, + What is needful to provide for, + That the ale may be fermented, + And the beer be brought to foaming?' + + "Kalevatar, beauteous maiden, + She the maid with slender fingers, 190 + Which she ever moves so deftly, + She whose feet are shod so lightly, + Felt about the seams of staving, + Groping all about the bottom, + Trying one and then the other, + In the midst of both the kettles; + Found a splinter at the bottom, + From the bottom took a splinter. + + "Then she turned it and reflected: + 'What might perhaps be fashioned from it, 200 + In the hands of lovely maiden, + In the noble damsel's fingers, + Brought into the hands of maiden, + To the noble damsel's fingers?' + + "In her hands the maiden took it, + In the noble damsel's fingers, + And she clapped her hands together, + Both her hands she rubbed together, + Rubbed them on her thighs together, + And a squirrel white created. 210 + + "Then she gave her son directions, + And instructed thus the squirrel: + 'O thou squirrel, gold of woodlands, + Flower of woodlands, charm of country, + Speed then forth where I shall bid thee, + Where I bid thee and direct thee, + Forth to Metsola's bright regions, + And to Tapiola's great wisdom. + There a little tree upclimbing, + Heedful to the leafy summit, 220 + That the eagle may not seize thee, + Nor the bird of air may grasp thee. + From the pine-tree bring me pine-cones, + From the fir bring shoots of fir-tree, + Bring them to the hands of maiden, + For the beer of Osmo's daughter.' + + "Knew the squirrel now his pathway, + Trailed his bushy tail behind him, + And his journey soon accomplished, + Quickly through the open spaces, 230 + Past one wood, and then a second, + And a third he crossed obliquely, + Into Metsola's bright regions, + And to Tapiola's great wisdom. + + "There he saw three lofty pine-trees, + There he saw four slender fir-trees, + Climbed a pine-tree in the valley, + On the heath he climbed a fir-tree, + And the eagle did not seize him, + Nor the bird of air did grasp him. 240 + + "From the pine he broke the pine-cones, + From the fir the leafy tassels, + In his claws he hid the pine-cones, + And within his paws he rolled them, + To the maiden's hands he brought them, + To the noble damsel's fingers. + + "In the beer the maiden laid them, + In the ale she placed them likewise, + But the ale was not fermented, + Nor the fresh drink yet was working. 250 + + "Osmotar, the ale-preparer, + She, the maid who beer concocted, + Pondered yet again the matter. + 'What must now be added to it, + That the ale shall be fermented, + And the beer be brought to foaming?' + + "Kalevatar, beauteous maiden, + She, the maid with slender fingers, + Which she ever moves so deftly, + She whose feet are shod so lightly, 260 + Felt about the seams of staving, + Groping all about the bottom, + Trying one, and then the other, + In the midst of both the kettles, + Found a chip upon the bottom, + Took the chip from off the bottom. + + "Then she turned it and reflected, + 'What might perhaps be fashioned from it, + In the hands of lovely maiden, + In the noble damsel's fingers, 270 + Brought into the hands of maiden, + To the noble damsel's fingers?' + + "In her hands the maiden took it + In the noble damsel's fingers, + And she clapped her hands together, + Both her hands she rubbed together, + Rubbed them on her thighs together, + And she made a gold-breast marten. + + "Thus the marten she instructed, + Thus the orphan child directed: 280 + 'O my marten, O my birdling, + O my fair one, beauteous-hided! + Thither go, where I shall bid thee, + Where I bid thee, and direct thee, + To the Bear's own rocky cavern, + Where the forest bears are prowling, + Where the bears are always fighting, + Where they lurk in all their fierceness. + With thy hands scrape foam together, + In thy paws the foam then carry, 290 + To the maiden's hands convey it, + And to Osmo's daughter's shoulders.' + + "Understood the way the marten, + Forth the golden-breasted hastened, + And his journey soon accomplished, + Quickly through the open spaces, + Past one wood, and then a second, + And a third he crossed obliquely, + To the Bear's own rocky cavern, + To the caverns bear-frequented, 300 + Where the bears are always fighting, + Where they lurk In all their fierceness, + In the rocks as hard as iron, + And among the steel-hard mountains. + + "From the bears' mouths foam was dropping, + From their furious jaws exuding; + In his hands the foam he gathered, + With his paws the foam collected, + To the maiden's hands he brought it, + To the noble damsel's fingers. 310 + + "In the ale the maiden poured it, + In the beer she poured it likewise, + But the ale was not fermented, + Nor the drink of men foamed over. + + "Osmotar, the ale-preparer, + She the maid who beer concocted, + Pondered yet again the matter, + 'What must now be added to it, + That the ale shall be fermented, + And the beer be brought to foaming?' 320 + + "Kalevatar, beauteous maiden, + She the maid with slender fingers, + Which she ever moves so deftly, + She whose feet are shod so lightly + Felt about the seams of staving, + Groping all about the bottom, + Trying one and then the other, + Then the space between the kettles, + And a mustard-pod she saw there; + From the ground the pod she lifted. 330 + + "Then she turned It, and surveyed it, + 'What might perhaps be fashioned from it, + In the hands of lovely maiden, + In the noble damsel's fingers, + Brought into the hands of maiden, + To the noble damsel's fingers?' + + "In her hands the maiden took it, + In the noble damsel's fingers, + And she clapped her hands together, + Both her hands she rubbed together, 340 + Rubbed them on her thighs together, + And a bee she thus created. + + "And the bee she thus instructed, + And the bee she thus directed: + 'O thou bee, thou bird so nimble, + King of all the flowery meadows, + Thither fly, where I shall bid thee, + Where I bid thee and direct thee, + To an isle on ocean's surface, + Where the reefs arise from ocean. 350 + There a maiden lies in slumber, + With her belt of copper loosened; + By her side springs sweetest herbage, + On her lap rest honey grasses, + On thy wings bring sweetest honey, + Bring thou honey on thy clothing, + From the fairest of the herbage, + From the bloom of golden flowerets, + To the maiden's hands convey it, + And to Osmo's daughter's shoulders.' 360 + + "Then the bee, that bird so nimble, + Flew away, and hastened onward, + And his journey soon accomplished, + Speeding o'er the open spaces, + First across the sea, along it, + Then in an oblique direction, + To an isle on ocean's surface, + Where the reefs arise from ocean. + There he saw the maiden sleeping, + With a tin brooch on her bosom, 370 + Resting in an unmowed meadow, + All among the fields of honey; + By her side grew golden grasses, + At her belt sprang silver grasses. + + "Then he soaked his wings with honey, + Plunged his plumes in liquid honey, + From the brightest of the herbage, + From the tips of golden flowerets; + To the maiden's hands he brought it, + To the noble damsel's fingers. 380 + + "In the ale the maiden cast it, + In the beer she poured it likewise, + And the beer at length fermented, + And the fresh drink now foamed upward, + From within the new-made barrels, + From within the tubs of birchwood, + Foaming upward to the handles, + Rushing over all the edges; + To the ground it wished to trickle, + And upon the floor ran downward. 390 + + "But a little time passed over, + Very little time passed over, + When the heroes flocked to drink it, + Chief among them Lemminkainen. + Drunk was Ahti, drunk was Kauko, + Drunken was the ruddy rascal, + With the ale of Osmo's daughter, + And the beer of Kalevatar. + + "Osmotar, the ale-preparer, + She, the maid who beer concocted, 400 + Uttered then the words which follow: + 'Woe is me, my day is wretched, + For I brewed the ale so badly + And the beer so ill concocted, + That from out the tubs 'tis flowing, + And upon the floor is gushing.' + + "From a tree there sang a bullfinch. + From the roof-tree sang a throstle, + 'No, the ale is not so worthless; + 'Tis the best of ale for drinking; 410 + If into the casks you pour it, + And should store it in the cellar, + Store it in the casks of oakwood, + And within the hoops of copper.' + + "Thus was ale at first created, + Beer of Kaleva concocted, + Therefore is it praised so highly, + Therefore held in greatest honour, + For the ale is of the finest, + Best of drinks for prudent people; 420 + Women soon it brings to laughter, + Men it warms into good humour, + And it makes the prudent merry, + But it brings the fools to raving." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + When she heard how ale was fashioned, + Water pour in tubs the largest, + Half she filled the new-made barrels, + Adding barley as 'twas needed, + Shoots of hop enough she added, 430 + And the ale began she brewing, + And the beer began its working, + In the new tubs that contained it, + And within the tubs of birch wood. + + 'Twas for months the stones were glowing, + And for summers water boiling, + Trees were burning on the islands, + Water from the wells was carried. + Bare of trees they left the islands, + And the lakes were greatly shrunken, 440 + For the ale was in the barrels, + And the beer was stored securely + For the mighty feast of Pohja, + For carousing at the mansion. + + From the island smoke was rising, + On the headland fire was glowing; + Thick the clouds of smoke were rising, + In the air there rose the vapour. + For the fire was burning fiercely, + And the fire was brightly glowing, 450 + Half it filled the land of Pohja, + Over all Carelia spreading. + + All the people gazed upon it, + Gazed, and then they asked each other, + "Wherefore is the smoke arising, + In the air the vapour rising? + 'Tis too small for smoke of battle, + 'Tis too large for herdsman's bonfire." + + Then rose Lemminkainen's mother, + At the earliest dawn of morning, 460 + And she went to fetch some water. + Clouds of smoke she saw arising, + Up from Pohjola's dominions, + And she spoke the words which follow: + "Perhaps it is the smoke of combat, + Perhaps it is the fire of battle." + + Ahti, dweller on the island, + He the handsome Kaukomieli, + Wandered round and gazed about him, + And he pondered and reflected, 470 + "I must go and look upon it, + From a nearer spot examine, + Whence the smoke is thus ascending + Filling all the air with vapour, + If it be the smoke of combat, + If it be the fire of battle." + + Kauko went to gaze about him, + And to learn whence smoke was rising, + But it was not fire of battle, + Neither was it fire of combat, 480 + But 'twas fire where ale was brewing, + Likewise where the beer was brewing, + Near where Sound of Sariola spreads, + Out upon the jutting headland. + + Then did Kauko gaze around him, + And one eye he rolled obliquely, + And he squinted with the other, + And his mouth he pursed up slowly, + And at last he spoke, while gazing, + And across the sound he shouted, 490 + "O my dearest foster-mother, + Pohjola's most gracious Mistress! + Brew thou ale of extra goodness, + Brew thou beer the best of any, + For carousing at the mansion, + Specially for Lemminkainen, + At my wedding, now preparing, + With thy young and lovely daughter." + + Now the ale was quite fermented, + And the drink of men was ripened, 500 + And the red ale stored they safely, + And the good beer stored securely. + Underneath the ground they stored it, + Stored it in the rocky cellars, + In the casks of oak constructed, + And behind the taps of copper. + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + All the food provide for feasting, + And the kettles all were singing, + And the stewpans all were hissing, 510 + And large loaves of bread were baking, + And she stirred great pots of porridge, + Thus to feed the crowds of people, + At the banquet at the mansion, + At the mighty feast of Pohja, + The carouse at Sariola dim. + + Now the bread they baked was ready, + And were stirred the pots of porridges, + And a little time passed over, + Very little time passed over, 520 + When the ale worked in the barrels, + And the beer foamed in the cellars, + "Now must some one come to drink me, + Now must some one come to taste me, + That my fame may be reported, + And that they may sing my praises." + + Then they went to seek a minstrel, + Went to seek a famous singer, + One whose voice was of the strongest, + One who knew the finest legends. 530 + First to sing they tried a salmon, + If the voice of trout was strongest; + Singing is not work for salmon, + And the pike recites no legends. + Crooked are the jaws of salmon, + And the teeth of pike spread widely. + + Yet again they sought a singer, + Went to seek a famous singer, + One whose voice was of the strongest, + One who knew the finest legends, 540 + And they took a child for singer, + Thought a boy might sing the strongest. + Singing is not work for children. + Nor are splutterers fit for shouting. + Crooked are the tongues of children, + And the roots thereof are crooked. + + Then the red ale grew indignant, + And the fresh drink fell to cursing, + Pent within the oaken barrels, + And behind the taps of copper. 550 + "If you do not find a minstrel, + Do not find a famous singer, + One whose voice is of the strongest, + One who knows the finest legends, + Then the hoops I'll burst asunder, + And among the dust will trickle." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress + Send the guests their invitations, + Sent her messengers to journey, + And she spoke the words which follow: 560 + "O my maid, of all the smallest, + O my waiting-maid obedient, + Call the people all together, + To the great carouse invite them, + Call the poor, and call the needy, + Call the blind, and call the wretched, + Call the lame, and call the cripples; + In the boat row thou the blind men; + Bring the lame ones here on horseback, + And in sledges bring the cripples. 570 + + "Ask thou all the folk of Pohja, + And of Kaleva the people: + Ask the aged Vainamoinen, + Greatest he of all the minstrels, + Only ask not Lemminkainen, + Ask not Ahti Saarelainen." + + Then the maid, of all the smallest, + Answered In the words which follow: + "Wherefore ask not Lemminkainen, + Only Ahti Saarelainen?" 580 + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + In these very words make answer: + "Therefore ask not Kaukomieli, + Not the reckless Lemminkainen. + He is always quick to quarrel, + And to fight is always ready. + And at weddings works he mischief, + And at banquets grievous scandal, + Brings to shame the modest maidens, + Clad in all their festive garments." 590 + + Then the maid, of all the smallest, + Answered in the words which follow: + "How shall I know Kaukomieli + That I leave him uninvited? + For I know not Ahti's dwelling, + Nor the house of Kaukomieli." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Answer in the words which follow: + "Easy may you hear of Kauko, + Learn of Ahti Saarelainen. 600 + Ahti dwells upon an island, + Dwells the rascal near the water, + Where the bay outspreads the broadest, + At the curve of Kauko's headland." + + Then the maid, of all the smallest, + She the handmaid hired for money, + Bid the guests from six directions, + And in eight the news she carried; + All she asked of Pohja's people, + And of Kaleva the people, 610 + Of the householders the poorest, + And the poorest clad amongst them, + Only not the youth named Ahti, + For she left him uninvited. + + + + +RUNO XXI.--THE WEDDING FEAST AT POHJOLA + + +_Argument_ + +The bridegroom and his party are received at Pohjola (1-226). The guests +are hospitably entertained with abundance of food and drink (227-252). +Vainamoinen sings and praises the people of the house (253-438). + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Crone of Sariola the misty, + Sometimes out of doors employ her, + Sometimes in the house was busied; + And she heard how whips were cracking, + On the shore heard sledges rattling, + And her eyes she turned to northward, + Towards the sun her head then turning, + And she pondered and reflected, + "Wherefore are these people coming 10 + On my shore, to me unhappy? + Is it perhaps a hostile army?" + + So she went to gaze around her, + And observe the portent nearer; + It was not a hostile army, + But of guests a great assembly, + And her son-in-law amid them, + With a mighty host of people. + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Crone of Sariola the misty, 20 + When she saw the bridegroom's party, + Speak aloud the words which follow: + "As I thought, the wind was blowing + And a faggot-stack overthrowing, + On the beach the billows breaking, + On the strand the shingle rattling. + So I went to gaze around me, + And observe the portent nearer; + But I found no wind was blowing, + Nor the faggot-stack was falling, 30 + On the beach no waves were breaking, + On the strand no shingle rattling. + 'Twas my son-in-law's assemblage, + Twice a hundred men in number. + + "How shall I detect the bridegroom + In the concourse of the people? + He is known among the people, + As in clumps of trees the cherry, + Like an oak-tree in the thickets, + Or the moon, 'mid stars in heaven. 40 + + "Black the steed that he is driving; + Which a ravenous wolf resembles; + Or a raven, keen for quarry, + Or a lark, with fluttering pinions. + Six there are of golden song-birds, + On his shafts all sweetly singing, + And of blue birds, seven are singing + Sitting on the sledge's traces." + + From the road was heard a clatter, + Past the well the runners rattled, 50 + In the court arrived the bridegroom, + In the yard the people with him, + In the midst appeared the bridegroom, + With the greatest of the party. + He was not the first among them, + But by no means last among them. + + "Off, ye youths, and out ye heroes, + To the court, O ye who loiter, + That ye may remove the breastbands, + And the traces ye may loosen, 60 + That the shafts may quick be lowered: + Lead into the house the bridegroom." + + Then the bridegroom's horse sped onward, + And the bright-hued sledge drew forward + Through the courtyard of the Master, + When said Pohjola's old Mistress: + "O my man, whom I have hired, + Best among the village servants, + Take the horse that brought the bridegroom, + With the white mark on his frontlet, 70 + From the copper-plated harness, + From the tin-decked breastband likewise, + From the best of reins of leather, + And from harness of the finest, + Lead the courser of the bridegroom, + And with greatest care conduct him + By the reins, of silken fabric, + By the bridle, decked with silver, + To the softest place for rolling, + Where the meadow is the smoothest, 80 + Where the drifted snow is finest, + And the land of milky whiteness. + + "Lead the bridegroom's horse to water, + To the spring that flows the nearest, + Where the water all unfrozen, + Gushes forth; like milk the sweetest, + 'Neath the roots of golden pine-trees, + Underneath the bushy fir-trees. + + "Fodder thou the bridegroom's courser, + From the golden bowl of fodder, 90 + From the bow! adorned with copper, + With the choicest meal of barley, + And with well-boiled wheat of summer, + And with pounded rye of summer. + + "Then conduct the bridegroom's courser + To the best of all the stables, + To the best of resting-places, + To the hindmost of the stables. + Tether there the bridegroom's courser, + To the ring of gold constructed, 100 + To the smaller ring of iron, + To the post of curving birchwood, + Place before the bridegroom's courser, + Next a tray with oats overloaded, + And with softest hay another, + And a third with chaff the finest. + + "Curry then the bridegroom's courser, + With the comb of bones of walrus, + That the hair remain uninjured, + Nor his handsome tail be twisted; 110 + Cover then the bridegroom's courser + With a cloth of silver fabric, + And a mat of golden texture, + And a horse-wrap decked with copper. + + "Now my little village laddies, + To the house conduct the bridegroom, + Gently lift his hat from off him, + From his hands his gloves take likewise. + + "I would fain see if the bridegroom + Presently the house can enter, 120 + Ere the doors are lifted from it, + And they have removed the doorposts, + And have lifted up the crossbars, + And the threshold has been sunken, + And the nearer walls are broken, + And the floor-planks have been shifted. + + "But the house suits not the bridegroom, + Nor the great gift suits the dwelling, + Till the doors are lifted from it, + And they have removed the doorposts, 130 + And have lifted up the crossbars, + And the threshold has been sunken, + And the nearer walls been broken, + And the flooring-planks been shifted, + For the bridegroom's head is longer, + And the bridegroom's ears are higher. + + "Let the crossbars then be lifted, + That his head the roof may touch not, + Let the threshold now be sunken, + That his footsoles may not touch it, 140 + Let them now set back the doorposts, + That the doors may open widely, + When at length the bridegroom enters, + When the noble youth approaches. + + "Praise, O Jumala most gracious, + For the bridegroom now has entered. + I would now the house examine, + Cast my gaze around within it, + See that washed are all the tables, + And the benches swabbed with water, 150 + Scoured the smooth planks of the boarding, + And the flooring swept and polished. + + "Now that I the house examine, + 'Tis so changed I scarcely know it, + From what wood the room was fashioned, + How the roof has been constructed, + And the walls have been erected, + And the flooring been constructed. + + "Side-walls are of bones of hedgehog, + Hinder-walls of bones of reindeer, 160 + Front-walls of the bones of glutton, + And of bones of lamb the crossbar. + All the beams are wood of apple, + And the posts of curving birchwood, + Round the stove rest water-lilies, + Scales of bream compose the ceiling. + + "And one bench is formed of iron, + Others made from Saxon timber, + Gold-inlaid are all the tables; + Floor o'erspread with silken carpets. 170 + + "And the stove is bright with copper, + And the stove-bench stone-constructed, + And the hearth composed of boulders, + And with Kaleva's tree is boarded." + + Then the house the bridegroom entered, + Hastened on beneath the roof-tree, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Grant, O Jumala, thy blessing + Underneath this noble roof-tree, + Underneath this roof so splendid." 180 + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "Hail, all hail, to thee, who enters + In this room of small dimensions, + In this very lowly cottage, + In this wretched house of firwood, + In this house of pine constructed. + + "O my little waiting-maiden, + Thou the village maid I hired, + Bring a piece of lighted birchbark, + To a tarry torch apply it, 190 + That I may behold the bridegroom, + And the bridegroom's eyes examine, + Whether they are blue or reddish; + Whether they are white as linen." + + Then the little waiting-maiden, + She, the little village maiden, + Brought a piece of lighted birchbark, + To a tarry torch applied it. + "From the bark the flame springs spluttering, + From the tar black smoke's ascending, 200 + So his eyes might perhaps be sooted, + And his handsome face be blackened, + Therefore bring a torch all flaming, + Of the whitest wax constructed." + + Then the little waiting-maiden, + She the little village maiden, + Lit a torch, and brought it flaming, + Of the whitest wax constructed. + + White like wax the smoke was rising, + And the flame ascended brightly, 210 + And the bridegroom's eyes were shining, + And his face was all illumined. + "Now the bridegroom's eyes I gaze on! + They are neither blue nor reddish, + Neither are they white like linen, + But his eyes they shine like lake-foam, + Like the lake-reed are they brownish, + And as lovely as the bulrush. + + "Now my little village laddies, + Hasten to conduct the bridegroom 220 + To a seat among the highest, + To a place the most distinguished, + With his back towards the blue wall, + With his face towards the red board, + There among the guests invited, + Facing all the shouting people." + + Then did Pohjola's old Mistress, + Feast her guests in noble fashion, + Feast them on the best of butter, + And with cream-cakes in abundance; 230 + Thus she served the guests invited, + And among them first the bridegroom. + + On the plates was placed the salmon, + At the sides the pork was stationed, + Dishes filled to overflowing, + Laden to the very utmost, + Thus to feast the guests invited; + And among them first the bridegroom. + + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + "O my little waiting-maiden, 240 + Bring me now the ale in measures, + Bring it in the jugs two-handled, + For the guests we have invited, + And the bridegroom chief among them." + + Then the little waiting-maiden, + She, the servant hired for money, + Brought the measures as directed, + Handed round the five-hooped tankards, + Till, with ale from hops concocted, + All the beards with foam were whitened; 250 + All the beards of guests invited; + And among them most the bridegroom's. + + What about the ale was spoken, + Of the ale in five-hooped tankards, + When at length it reached the minstrel, + Reached the greatest of the singers, + He the aged Vainamoinen, + First and oldest of the singers, + He the minstrel most illustrious, + He the greatest of the Sages? 260 + + First of all the ale he lifted, + Then he spoke the words which follow: + "O thou ale, thou drink delicious, + Let the drinkers not be moody! + Urge the people on to singing, + Let them shout, with mouth all golden, + Till our lords shall wonder at it, + And our ladies ponder o'er it, + For the songs already falter, + And the joyous tongues are silenced. 270 + When the ale is ill-concocted, + And bad drink is set before us, + Then the minstrels fail in singing, + And the best of songs they sing not, + And our cherished guests are silent, + And the cuckoos call no longer. + + "Therefore who shall chant unto us, + And whose tongue shall sing unto us, + At the wedding feast of Pohja, + This carouse at Sariola held? 280 + Benches will not sing unto us, + Save when people sit upon them, + Nor will floors hold cheerful converse, + Save when people walk upon them, + Neither are the windows joyful, + If the lords should gaze not from them, + Nor resound the table's edges, + If men sit not round the tables, + Neither do the smoke-holes echo, + If men sit not 'neath the smoke-holes." 290 + + On the floor a child was sitting, + On the stove-bench sat a milkbeard, + From the floor exclaimed the infant, + And the boy spoke from the stove-bench: + "I am not in years a father, + Undeveloped yet my body, + But however small I may be, + If the other big ones sing not, + And the stouter men will shout not, + And the rosier cheeked will sing not, 300 + Then I'll sing, although a lean boy, + Though a thin boy, I will whistle, + I will sing, though weak and meagre, + Though my stomach is not rounded, + That the evening may be cheerful, + And the day may be more honoured." + + By the stove there sat an old man, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "That the children sing befits not, + Nor these feeble folk should carol. 310 + Children's songs are only falsehoods, + And the songs of girls are foolish. + Let the wisest sing among us, + Who upon the bench is seated." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Are there any who are youthful, + Of the noblest of the people, + Who will clasp their hands together, + Hook their hands in one another, 320 + And begin to speak unto us, + Swaying back and forth in singing, + That the day may be more joyful, + And the evening be more blessed?" + + From the stove there spoke the old man, + "Never was it heard among us, + Never heard or seen among us, + Nor so long as time existed, + That there lived a better minstrel, + One more skilled in all enchantment, 330 + Than myself when I was warbling, + As a child when I was singing, + Singing sweetly by the water, + Making all the heath re-echo, + Chanting loudly in the firwood, + Talking likewise In the forest. + + "Then my voice was loud and tuneful, + And its tones were most melodious, + Like the flowing of a river, + Or the murmur of a streamlet, 340 + Gliding as o'er snow the snowshoes, + Like a yacht across the billows; + But 'tis hard for me to tell you + How my wisdom has departed, + How my voice so strong has failed me, + And its sweetness has departed. + Now it flows no more like river, + Rising like the tossing billows, + But it halts like rake in stubble, + Like the hoe among the pine-roots, 350 + Like a sledge in sand embedded, + Or a boat on rocks when stranded." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + In such words as these expressed him: + "If no other bard comes forward + To accompany my singing, + Then alone my songs I'll carol, + And will now commence my singing, + For to sing was I created, + As an orator was fashioned; 360 + How, I ask not in the village, + Nor I learn my songs from strangers." + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Of the song the lifelong pillar, + Set him to the pleasant labour, + Girt him for the toil of singing, + Loud he sang his songs so pleasing, + Loud he spoke his words of wisdom. + + Sang the aged Vainamoinen, + Sang by turns, and spoke his wisdom, 370 + Nor did words that suited fall him, + Neither were his songs exhausted, + Sooner stones in rocks were missing, + Or a pond lacked water-lilies. + + Therefore thus sang Vainamoinen + Through the evening for their pleasure, + And the women all were laughing, + And the men in high good-humour, + While they listened and they wondered + At the chants of Vainamoinen, 380 + For amazement filled the hearers, + Wonder those who heard him singing. + + Said the aged Vainamoinen, + When at length his song he ended, + "This is what I have accomplished + As a singer and magician, + Little can I thus accomplish, + And my efforts lead me nowhere: + But, If sang the great Creator, + Speaking with his mouth of sweetness, 390 + He would sing his songs unto you, + As a singer and magician. + + "He would sing the sea to honey, + And to peas would sing the gravel, + And to malt would sing the seasand, + And to salt would sing the gravel, + Forest broad would sing to cornland, + And the wastes would sing to wheatfields, + Into cakes would sing the mountains, + And to hens' eggs change the mountains. 400 + + "As a singer and magician, + He would speak, and he would order, + And would sing unto this homestead, + Cowsheds ever filled with cattle, + Lanes o'erfilled with beauteous blossoms, + And the plains o'erfilled with milch-kine, + Full a hundred horned cattle, + And with udders full, a thousand. + + "As a singer and magician, + He would speak and he would order 410 + For our host a coat of lynxskin, + For our mistress cloth-wrought dresses, + For her daughters boots with laces, + And her sons with red shirts furnish. + + "Grant, O Jumala, thy blessing, + Evermore, O great Creator, + Unto those we see around us, + And again in all their doings, + Here, at Pohjola's great banquet, + This carouse at Sariola held, 420 + That the ale may stream in rivers, + And the mead may flow in torrents, + Here in Pohjola's great household, + In the halls at Sariola built, + That by day we may be singing, + And may still rejoice at evening + Long as our good host is living, + In the lifetime of our hostess. + + "Jumala, do thou grant thy blessing, + O Creator, shed thy blessing, 430 + On our host at head of table, + On our hostess in her storehouse, + On their sons, the nets when casting, + On their daughters at their weaving. + May they have no cause for trouble, + Nor lament the year that follows, + After their protracted banquet, + This carousal at the mansion!" + + + + +RUNO XXII.--THE TORMENTING OF THE BRIDE + + +_Argument_ + +The bride is prepared for her journey and is reminded of her past life +and of the altered life that now lies before her (1-124). She becomes +very sorrowful (125-184). They bring her to weeping (185-382). She weeps +(383-448). They comfort her (449-522). + + When the drinking-bout was ended, + And the feast at length was over, + At the festival at Pohja, + Bridal feast held at Pimentola, + Then said Pohjola's old Mistress, + To the bridegroom, Ilmarinen, + "Wherefore sit'st thou, highly-born one, + Waitest thou, O pride of country? + Sit'st thou here to please the father, + Or for love of mother waitest, 10 + Or our dwelling to illumine, + Or the wedding guests to honour? + + "Not for father's pleasure wait'st thou, + Nor for love thou bear'st the mother, + Nor the dwelling to illumine, + Nor the wedding guests to honour; + Here thou sit'st for maiden's pleasure, + For a young girl's love delaying, + For the fair one whom thou long'st for, + Fair one with unbraided tresses. 20 + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Wait a week, and yet another; + For thy loved one is not ready, + And her toilet is not finished. + Only half her hair is plaited, + And a half is still unplaited. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Wait a week, and yet another, + For thy loved one is not ready, + And her toilet is not finished; 30 + One sleeve only is adjusted, + And unfitted still the other. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Wait a week, and yet another, + For thy loved one is not ready, + And her toilet is not finished. + For one foot is shod already, + But unshod remains the other. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Wait a week, and yet another, 40 + For thy loved one is not ready, + And her toilet is not finished. + For one hand is gloved already, + And ungloved is still the other. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Thou hast waited long unwearied; + For thy love at length is ready, + And thy duck has made her toilet. + + "Go thou forth. O plighted maiden, + Follow thou, O dove new-purchased! 50 + Near to thee is now thy union, + Nearer still is thy departure, + He who leads thee forth is with thee, + At the door is thy conductor, + And his horse the bit is champing, + And his sledge awaits the maiden. + + "Thou wast fond of bridegroom's money + Reaching forth thy hands most greedy + Glad to take the chain he offered, + And to fit the rings upon thee. 60 + Now the longed-for sledge is ready, + Eager mount the sledge so gaudy, + Travel quickly to the village, + Quickly speeding on thy journey. + + "Hast thou never, youthful maiden, + On both sides surveyed the question, + Looked beyond the present moment, + When the bargain was concluded? + All thy life must thou be weeping, + And for many years lamenting, 70 + How thou left'st thy father's household, + And thy native land abandoned, + From beside thy tender mother, + From the home of she who bore thee. + + "O the happy life thou leddest, + In this household of thy father! + Like a wayside flower thou grewest, + Or upon the heath a strawberry, + Waking up to feast on butter, + Milk, when from thy bed arising, 80 + Wheaten-bread, from couch upstanding, + From thy straw, the fresh-made butter, + Or, if thou could eat no butter, + Strips of pork thou then could'st cut thee. + + "Never yet wast thou in trouble, + Never hadst thou cause to worry, + To the fir-trees tossed thou trouble, + Worry to the stumps abandoned, + Care to pine-trees in the marshlands, + And upon the heaths the birch-trees. 90 + Like a leaflet thou wast fluttering, + As a butterfly wast fluttering, + Berry-like in native soil, + Or on open ground a raspberry. + + "But thy home thou now art leaving, + To another home thou goest, + To another mother's orders, + To the household of a stranger. + Different there from here thou'lt find it + In another house 'tis different; 100 + Other tunes the horns are blowing, + Other doors thou hearest jarring, + Other gates thou hearest creaking, + Other voices at the fishlines. + + "There the doors thou hardly findest, + Strange unto thee are the gateways, + Not like household daughter art thou, + May not dare to blow the fire, + Nor the stove canst rightly heaten, + So that thou canst please the master. 110 + + "Didst thou think, O youthful maiden, + Didst thou think, or didst imagine, + Only for a night to wander, + In the morn again returning? + 'Tis not for one night thou goest, + Not for one night, not for two nights, + For a longer time thou goest. + Thou for months and days hast vanished, + Lifelong from thy father's dwelling, + For the lifetime of thy mother, 120 + And the yard will then be longer, + And the threshold lifted higher, + If again thou ever earnest, + To thy former home returning." + + Now the hapless girl was sighing, + Piteously she sighed and panted, + And her heart was filled with trouble, + In her eyes the tears were standing, + And at length she spoke as follows: + "Thus I thought, and thus imagined, 130 + And throughout my life imagined, + Said throughout my years of childhood, + Thou art not as maid a lady + In the wardship of thy parents, + In the meadows of thy father, + In thy aged mother's dwelling. + Thou wilt only be a lady + When thy husband's home thou seekest, + Resting one foot on the threshold, + In his sledge the other placing, 140 + Then thy head thou liftest higher, + And thy ears thou liftest higher. + + "This throughout my life I wished for, + All my youthful days I hoped for, + And throughout the year I wished it, + Like the coming of the summer. + Now my hope has found fulfilment; + Near the time of my departure; + One foot resting on the threshold, + In my husband's sledge the other, 150 + But I do not yet know rightly, + If my mind has not been altered. + Not with joyful thoughts I wander + Nor do I depart with pleasure + From the golden home beloved, + Where I passed my life in childhood, + Where I passed my days of girlhood, + Where my father lived before me. + Sadly I depart in sorrow, + Forth I go, most sadly longing, 160 + As into the night of autumn, + As on slippery ice in springtime, + When on ice no track remaineth, + On its smoothness rests no footprint. + + "What may be the thoughts of others, + And of other brides the feelings? + Do not other brides encounter, + Bear within their hearts the trouble, + Such as I, unhappy, carry? + Blackest trouble rests upon me, 170 + Black as coal my heart within me, + Coal-black trouble weighs upon me. + + "Such the feelings of the blessed, + Such the feelings of the happy; + As the spring day at its dawning, + Or the sunny spring-day morning; + But what thoughts do now torment me, + And what thoughts arise within me? + Like unto a pond's flat margin, + Or of clouds the murky border; 180 + Like the gloomy nights of autumn, + Or the dusky day of winter, + Or, as I might better say it, + Darker than the nights of autumn!" + + Then an old crone of the household, + In the house for long abiding, + Answered in the words which follow: + "Quiet, quiet, youthful maiden! + Dost remember, how I told thee, + And a hundred times repeated, 190 + Take no pleasure in a lover, + In a lover's mouth rejoice not, + Do not let his eyes bewitch thee, + Nor his handsome feet admire? + Though his mouth speaks charming converse, + And his eyes are fair to gaze on, + Yet upon his chin is Lempo; + In his mouth there lurks destruction. + + "Thus I always counsel maidens, + And to all their kind I counsel, 200 + Though great people come as suitors, + Mighty men should come as wooers, + Yet return them all this answer; + And on thy side speak unto them, + In such words as these address them, + And in thiswise speak unto them: + 'Not the least would it beseem me, + Not beseem me, or become me, + As a daughter-in-law to yield me, + As a slave to yield my freedom. 210 + Such a pretty girl as I am, + Suits it not to live as slave-girl, + To depart consent I never, + To submit to rule of others. + If another word you utter, + I will give you two in answer, + If you by my hair would pull me, + And you by my locks would drag me, + From my hair I'd quickly shake you, + From my locks dishevelled drive you.' 220 + + "But to this thou hast not hearkened, + To my words thou hast not listened, + Wilfully thou sought'st the fire, + In the boiling tar hast cast thee. + Now the fox's sledge awaits thee, + To the bear's hug art thou going, + And the fox's sledge will take thee, + Far away the bear convey thee, + Ever slave to other masters, + Ever slave of husband's mother. 230 + + "From thy home to school thou goest, + From thy father's house to suffering. + Hard the school to which thou goest, + Long the pain to which thou goest. + Reins for thee are bought already, + Iron fetters all in order, + Not for others are they destined, + But alas, for thee, unhappy. + + "Shortly wilt thou feel their harshness, + Helpless feel, and unprotected, 240 + For the father's chin is wagging, + And the mother's tongue is stormy; + And the brother's words are coldness, + And the sister's harsh reproaches. + + "Hear, O maiden, what I tell thee, + What I speak, and what I tell thee, + In thy home thou wast a floweret, + And the joy of father's household, + And thy father called thee Moonlight, + And thy mother called thee Sunshine, 250 + And thy brother Sparkling Water, + And thy sister called thee Blue-cloth. + To another home thou goest, + There to find a stranger mother. + Never is a stranger mother + Like the mother who has borne thee: + Seldom does she give good counsel, + Seldom gives the right instructions. + Sprig the father shouts against thee, + Slut the mother calls unto thee, 260 + And the brother calls thee Doorstep, + And the sister, Nasty Creature. + + "Now the best that could await thee, + Best the fate that could await thee, + If as fog thou wert dispersing, + From the house like smoke departing, + Blown like leaf away that flutters, + As a spark away is drifted. + + "But a bird that flies thou art not, + Nor a leaf away that flutters, 270 + Nor a spark in drafts that's drifting, + Nor the smoke from house ascending. + + "Lack-a-day, O maid, my sister! + Changed hast thou, and what art changing! + Thou hast changed thy much-loved father + For a father-in-law, a bad one; + Thou hast changed thy tender mother + For a mother-in-law most stringent; + Thou hast changed thy noble brother + For a brother-in-law so crook-necked, 280 + And exchanged thy gentle sister + For a sister-in-law all cross-eyed; + And hast changed thy couch of linen + For a sooty hearth to rest on; + And exchanged the clearest water + For the muddy margin-water, + And the sandy shore hast bartered + For the black mud at the bottom; + And thy pleasant meadow bartered + For a dreary waste of heathland; 290 + And thy hills of berries bartered + For the hard stumps of a clearing. + + "Didst thou think, O youthful maiden, + Think, O dove, full-fledged at present, + Care would end and toil be lessened, + With the party of this evening, + When to rest thou shalt betake thee, + And to sleep thou art conducted? + + "But to rest they will not lead thee, + Nor to sleep will they conduct thee; 300 + Nought awaits thee now but watching, + Nought awaits thee now save trouble, + Heavy thoughts will come upon thee, + Saddened thoughts will overwhelm thee. + + "Long as thou didst wear no head-dress, + Wert thou also free from trouble; + When no linen veil waved round thee, + Thou wast also free from sorrow. + Now the head-dress brings thee trouble, + Heavy thoughts the linen fabric, 310 + And the linen veil brings sorrow, + And the flax brings endless trouble. + + "How may live at home a maiden? + Maid in father's house abiding; + Like a monarch in his palace, + Only that the sword is wanting, + But a son's wife's fate is dismal! + With her husband she is living + As a prisoner lives in Russia, + Only that the jailor's wanting. 320 + + "Work she must in working season, + And her shoulders stoop with weakness, + And her body faints with weakness, + And with sweat her face is shining. + Then there comes another hour + When there's need to make the fire, + And to put the hearth in order, + She must force her hands to do it. + + "Long must seek, this girl unhappy, + Long the hapless one must seek for, 330 + Salmon's mind, and tongue of perchling, + And her thoughts from perch in fishpond, + Mouth of bream, of chub the belly, + And from water-hen learn wisdom. + + "'Tis beyond my comprehension, + Nine times can I not imagine, + To the mother's much-loved daughters, + Best beloved of all her treasures, + Whence should come to them the spoiler, + Where the greedy one was nurtured, 340 + Eating flesh, and bones devouring, + To the wind their hair abandoning, + And their tresses wildly tossing, + To the wind of springtime gives them. + + "Weep thou, weep thou, youthful maiden, + When thou weepest, weep thou sorely. + Weep thyself of tears a handful, + Fill thy fists with tears of longing, + Drop them in thy father's dwelling, + Pools of tears upon the flooring, 350 + Till the room itself is flooded, + And above the floor in billows! + If thou weepest yet not freely + Thou shalt weep when thou returnest, + When to father's house thou comest, + And shalt find thy aged father + Suffocated in the bathroom, + 'Neath his arm a dried-up bath-whisk. + + "Weep thou, weep thou, youthful maiden, + When thou weepest, weep thou sorely; 360 + If thou weepest not yet freely, + Thou shalt weep when thou returnest, + When to mother's house thou comest, + And thou find'st thy aged mother + Suffocated in the cowshed, + In her dying lap a straw-sheaf. + + "Weep thou, weep thou, youthful maiden, + When thou weepest, weep thou sorely. + If thou weepest yet not freely, + Thou shalt weep when thou returnest, 370 + When to this same house thou comest, + And thou find'st thy rosy brother + Fallen in the porch before it, + In the courtyard helpless fallen. + + "Weep thou, weep thou, youthful maiden, + When thou weepest, weep thou sorely. + If thou weepest yet not freely, + Thou shalt weep when thou returnest, + When to this same house thou comest, + And thou find'st thy gentle sister 380 + Fallen down upon the pathway, + And beneath her arm a mallet." + + Then the poor girl broke out sobbing, + And awhile she sobbed and panted, + And she soon commenced her weeping, + Pouring forth her tears in torrents. + + Then she wept of tears a handful, + Filled her fists with tears of longing, + Wet she wept her father's dwelling, + Pools of tears upon the flooring, 390 + And she spoke the words which follow, + And expressed herself in thiswise: + "O my sisters, dearest to me, + Of my life the dear companions, + All companions of my childhood, + Listen now to what I tell you. + 'Tis beyond my comprehension + Why I feel such deep oppression, + Making now my life so heavy, + Why this trouble weighs upon me, 400 + Why this darkness rests upon me; + How I should express my sorrow. + + "Otherwise I thought and fancied, + Wished it different, all my lifetime, + Thought to go as goes the cuckoo, + Crying 'Cuckoo' from the hill-tops, + Now the day I have attained to, + Come the time that I had wished for; + But I go not like the cuckoo, + Crying 'Cuckoo' from the hill-tops, 410 + More as duck amid the billows, + On the wide bay's open waters, + Swimming in the freezing water, + Shivering in the icy water. + + "Woe, my father and my mother, + Woe, alas, my aged parents! + Whither would you now dismiss me, + Drive a wretched maid to sorrow, + Make me thus to weep for sorrow, + Overburdened thus with trouble, 420 + With distress so heavy-burdened, + And with care so overloaded? + + "Better, O unhappy mother, + Better, dearest who hast borne me. + O thou dear one, who hast suckled, + Nurtured me throughout my lifetime, + Hadst thou swaddled up a tree-stump, + And hadst bathed a little pebble, + Rather than have washed thy daughter, + And have swaddled up thy darling, 430 + For this time of great affliction, + And of this so grievous sorrow. + + "Many speak unto me elsewise, + Many counsel me in thiswise: + 'Do not, fool, give way to sorrow, + Let not gloomy thoughts oppress thee.' + Do not, O ye noble people, + Do not speak to me in thiswise! + Far more troubles weigh upon me, + Than in a cascade are pebbles, 440 + Than in swampy ground the willows, + Or the heath upon the marshland. + Never can a horse pull forward, + And a shod horse struggle onward, + And the sledge sway not behind him, + And the collar shall not tremble. + Even thus I feel my trouble, + And oppressed by dark forebodings." + + From the floor there sang an infant, + From the hearth a growing infant. 450 + "Wherefore dost thou weep, O maiden, + Yielding to such grievous sorrow? + Cast thy troubles to the horses, + Sorrow to the sable gelding. + Leave complaints to mouths of iron, + Lamentations to the thick-heads, + Better heads indeed have horses, + Better heads, and bones much harder, + For their arching necks are firmer, + All their frame is greatly stronger. 460 + + "No, thou hast no cause for weeping, + Nor to yield to grievous sorrow; + To the marsh they do not lead thee, + Push thee not into the ditches. + Leavest thou these fertile cornfields, + Yet to richer fields thou goest, + Though they take thee from the brewery, + 'Tis to where the ale's abundant. + + "If around thee now thou gazest, + Just beside thee where thou standest, 470 + There thy bridegroom stands to guard thee, + By thy side thy ruddy husband. + Good thy husband, good his horses, + All things needful fill his cellars, + And the grouse are loudly chirping, + On the sledge, as glides it onwards, + And the thrushes make rejoicing, + As they sing upon the traces, + And six golden cuckoos likewise + Flutter on the horse's collar, 480 + Seven blue birds are also perching, + On the sledge's frame, and singing. + + "Do not yield thee thus to trouble, + O thou darling of thy mother! + For no evil fate awaits thee, + But in better case thou comest, + Sitting by thy farmer husband, + Underneath the ploughman's mantle, + 'Neath the chin of the bread-winner, + In the arms of skilful fisher, 490 + Warm from chasing elk on snowshoes, + And from bathing after bear-hunt. + + "Thou hast found the best of husbands, + And hast won a mighty hero, + For his bow is never idle, + Neither on the pegs his quivers; + And the dogs in house he leaves not, + Nor in hay lets rest the puppies. + + "Three times in this spring already, + In the earliest hours of morning, 500 + Has he stood before the fire, + Rising from his couch of bushes; + Three times in this spring already + On his eyes the dew has fallen, + And the shoots of pine-trees combed him, + And the branches brushed against him. + + "All his people he exhorted, + To increase his flocks in number, + For indeed the bridegroom owneth + Flocks that wander through the birchwoods, 510 + Tramp their way among the sandhills, + Seek for pasture in the valleys; + Hundreds of the horned cattle, + Thousands with their well-filled udders; + On the plains are stacks in plenty, + In the valley crops abundant, + Alder-woods for cornland suited, + Meadows where the barley's springing, + Stony land for oats that's suited, + Watered regions, fit for wheatfields. 520 + All rich gifts in peace await thee, + Pennies plentiful as pebbles." + + + + +RUNO XXIII.--THE INSTRUCTING OF THE BRIDE + + +_Argument_ + +The bride is instructed and directed how to conduct herself in her +husband's house (1-478). An old vagrant woman relates the experiences of +her life as a daughter, as a wife, and after her separation from her +husband (479-850). + + Now the girl must be instructed, + And the bride be taught her duty, + Who shall now instruct the maiden, + And shall teach the girl her duty? + Osmotar, experienced woman, + Kaleva's most beauteous maiden; + She shall give the maid instruction, + And shall teach the unprotected + How to bear herself with prudence, + And with wisdom to conduct her, 10 + In her husband's house with prudence, + To his mother most obedient. + + So she spoke the words which follow, + And in terms like these addressed her: + "O thou bride, my dearest sister, + Thou my darling, best-beloved, + Listen now to what I tell thee, + For a second time repeated. + Now thou goest, a flower transplanted, + Like a strawberry forward creeping, 20 + Whisked, like shred of cloth, to distance, + Satin-robed, to distance hurried, + From thy home, renowned so greatly, + From thy dwelling-place so beauteous. + To another home thou comest, + To a stranger household goest; + In another house 'tis different; + Otherwise in strangers' houses. + Walk thou there with circumspection, + And prepare thy duties wisely 30 + Not as on thy father's acres, + Or the lands of thine own mother. + Where they sing among the valleys, + And upon the pathways shouting. + + "When from out this house thou goest, + All thy doings must be different; + Three things leave at home behind thee, + Sleep indulged in in the daytime, + Counsels of thy dearest mother, + And fresh butter from the barrels. 40 + + "All thy thoughts must now be altered; + Leave thy sleepiness behind thee, + Leave it for the household maiden, + By the stove so idly sitting. + To the bench-end cast thy singing, + Joyous carols to the windows, + Girlish ways unto the bath-whisks, + And thy pranks to blanket-edges, + Naughtinesses to the stove-bench, + On the floor thy lazy habits, 50 + Or renounce them to thy bridesmaid, + And into her arms unload them, + That she take them to the bushes, + Out upon the heath convey them. + + "Other habits wait thy learning, + And the old must be forgotten. + Father's love you leave behind you; + Learn to love thy husband's father; + Deeper now must thou incline thee, + Fitting language must thou utter. 60 + + "Other habits wait thy learning, + And the old must be forgotten. + Mother's love thou leav'st behind thee; + Learn to love thy husband's mother. + Deeper now must thou incline thee; + Fitting language must thou utter. + + "Other habits wait thy learning, + And the old must be forgotten. + Brother's love thou leav'st behind thee; + Learn to love thy husband's brother; 70 + Deeper now must thou incline thee; + Fitting language must thou utter. + + "Other habits wait thy learning, + And the old must be forgotten. + Sister's love thou leav'st behind thee, + Learn to love thy husband's sister. + Deeper now must thou incline thee, + Fitting language must thou utter. + + "Never may'st thou in thy lifetime, + While the golden moon is shining, 80 + Seek a house of doubtful morals, + With the worthless men consorting, + For a house must needs be moral, + And a house must needs be noble, + And for sense a husband wishes, + And desires the best behaviour. + Heedfulness will much be needed + In a house of doubtful morals; + Steadiness will much be wanting + In a man's of doubtful morals. 90 + + "Is the old man a wolf in corner, + By the hearth the crone a she-bear, + Brother-in-law on step a viper, + In the yard like nail the sister, + Equal honour must thou give them, + Deeper must thou then incline thee, + Than thou bowed before thy mother, + In the house of thine own father, + Than thou bowed before thy father, + Or before thy dearest mother. 100 + + "Thou wilt always need in future + Ready wit and clear perception, + And thy thoughts must all be prudent, + Firmly fixed thy understanding, + Eyes of keenness in the evening, + That the fire is always brilliant, + Ears of sharpness in the morning, + Thus to listen for the cockcrow. + If the cockcrow once has sounded, + Though the second has not sounded, 110 + It becomes the young to rouse them, + Though the old folk still are resting. + + "If the cock should not be crowing, + Nor the master's bird be crowing, + Let the moon for cockcrow serve thee, + Take the Great Bear for thy guidance. + Often thou should'st seek the open, + Often go the moon to gaze on, + From the Great Bear seek instruction, + And the distant stars to gaze on. 120 + + "If you see the Great Bear clearly, + With his front to south directed, + And his tail extending northward, + Then 'tis time for thee to rouse thee + From the side of thy young husband, + Leaving him asleep and ruddy, + Fire to seek among the ashes + Seeking for a spark in firebox, + Blowing then the fire discreetly, + That from carelessness it spread not. 130 + + "If no fire is in the ashes, + And no spark is in the firebox, + Coax thou then thy dearest husband, + And cajole thy handsome husband: + 'Light me now the fire, my dearest, + Just a spark, my darling berry!' + + "If you have a flint, a small one, + And a little piece of tinder, + Strike a light as quick as may be, + Light the pine-chip in the holder, 140 + Then go out to clear the cowshed, + And the cattle do thou fodder, + For the mother's cow is lowing, + And the father's horse is neighing, + And her chain the son's cow rattles, + And the daughter's calf is lowing, + That the soft hay should be thrown them, + And the clover laid before them. + + "Go thou stooping on the pathway, + Bend thou down among the cattle, 150 + Gently give the cows their fodder, + Give the sheep their food in quiet, + Spread it straight before the cattle, + Drink unto the calves so helpless, + To the foals give straw well-chosen, + To the lambkins hay the softest, + See that on the swine thou tread'st not, + Nor the hogs with foot thou spurnest, + Take thou to the swine the food-trough, + Set before the hogs the food-tray. 160 + + "Do not rest thee in the cowshed, + Do not loiter with the sheep-flock; + When thou'st visited the cowshed, + And hast looked to all the cattle, + Do thou quickly hasten homeward, + Home returning like a blizzard, + For the baby there is crying, + Crying underneath the blanket, + And the poor child still is speechless, + And its tongue no words can utter, 170 + Whether it is cold or hungry, + Or if something else annoys it, + Ere its well-known friend is coming, + And the mother's voice it heareth. + + "When into the room thou comest, + Come thou fourth into the chamber; + In thy hand a water-bucket, + Underneath thy arm a besom, + And between thy teeth a pine-chip; + Thou art then the fourth among them. 180 + + "Sweep thou then the floor to cleanness, + Sweep thou carefully the planking, + And upon the floor pour water, + Not upon the heads of babies. + If you see a child there lying, + Though thy sister-in-law's the infant, + Up upon the bench then lift it, + Wash its eyes, and smooth its hair down, + Put some bread into its handies, + And upon the bread spread butter, 190 + But if bread perchance be wanting, + Put a chip into its handies. + + "Then the tables must be scoured, + At the week-end at the latest; + Wash them, and the sides remember, + Let the legs be not forgotten; + Then the benches wash with water, + Sweep thou too the walls to cleanness, + And the boards of all the benches, + And the walls with all their corners. 200 + + "If there's dust upon the tables, + Or there's dust upon the windows, + Dust them carefully with feathers, + Wipe them with a wetted duster, + That the dust should not be scattered, + Nor should settle on the ceiling. + + "From the stove scrape all the rust off, + From the ceiling wipe the soot off, + And the ceiling-props remember, + Nor should'st thou forget the rafters, 210 + That the house be all in order, + And a fitting place to live in. + + "Hear, O maiden, what I tell thee, + What I says and what I tell thee, + Do not go without thy clothing, + Nor without thy shift disport thee, + Move about without thy linen, + Or without thy shoes go shuffling: + Greatly shocked would be thy bridegroom, + And thy youthful husband grumble. 220 + + "In the yard there grows a rowan, + Thou with reverent care should'st tend it, + Holy is the tree there growing, + Holy likewise are its branches, + On its boughs the leaves are holy, + And its berries yet more holy, + For a damsel may discover, + And an orphan thence learn teaching, + How to please her youthful husband, + To her bridegroom's heart draw nearer. 230 + + "Let thy ears be keen as mouse-ears, + Let thy feet as hare's be rapid, + And thy young neck proudly arching, + And thy fair neck proudly bending, + Like the juniper uprising, + Or the cherry's verdant summit. + + "Likewise hold thyself discreetly, + Always ponder and consider; + Never venture thou to rest thee + On the bench at length extended, 240 + Nor upon thy bed to rest thee, + There to yield thee to thy slumbers. + + "Comes the brother from his ploughing, + Or the father from the storehouse, + Or thy husband from his labour, + He, thy fair one, from the clearing, + Haste to fetch the water-basin, + Hasten thou to bring a towel, + Bowing with respect before them, + Speaking words of fond affection. 250 + + "Comes the mother from the storehouse, + In her arms the flour-filled basket, + Run across the yard to meet her, + Bowing with respect before her, + Take thou from her hands the basket, + Quickly to the house to bear it. + + "If you do not know your duty, + Do not comprehend it fully, + What the work that waits the doing, + Where you should begin your labours, 260 + Ask the old crone then in thiswise: + 'O my mother-in-law beloved, + How is this work to be managed, + And arranged these household matters?' + + "And the old crone thus will answer, + And your mother-in-law will tell you: + 'Thus this work is to be managed, + And arranged these household matters, + Pounding thus, and grinding thiswise, + And the handmill quickly turning. 270 + Likewise do thou fetch the water, + That the dough be fitly kneaded, + Carry logs into the bakehouse, + And the oven heat thou fully, + Set thou then the loaves for baking, + And the large cakes bake thou likewise, + Wash thou then the plates and dishes, + Likewise washing clean the meal-tubs.' + + "When thy work she thus has told thee, + And thy mother-in-law has taught thee, 280 + From the stones the parched corn taking, + Hasten to the room for grinding; + But when you at length have reached it, + And the room for grinding entered, + Do not carol as thou goest, + Do not shout thy very loudest, + Leave it to the stones to carol, + Talking through the handmill's opening, + Neither do thou groan too loudly, + Let the handmill groan unto thee; 290 + Lest thy father-in-law should fancy + Or thy mother-in-law imagine + That with discontent thou groanest, + And art sighing from vexation. + Lift the meal, and sift it quickly, + To the room in dish convey it, + Bake thou there the loaves with pleasure, + After thou with care hast kneaded, + That the flour becomes not lumpy, + But throughout is mixed most smoothly. 300 + + "If you see the bucket leaning, + Take the bucket on your shoulder, + On your arm the water-bucket. + Go thou then to fetch the water. + Carry thou the bucket nicely, + On the yoke-end do thou fix it, + Like the wind returning quickly, + Like the wind of springtime rushing, + By the water do not linger, + By the well forbear to rest thee, 310 + Lest thy father-in-law should fancy, + Or thy mother-in-law imagine + That you wished to see your likeness, + And your beauty to admire, + Rosy cheeks in water painted, + In the well your charms reflected. + + "When you wander to the wood-pile, + Wander there to fetch the faggots, + Do not split them up at random, + Take some faggots of the aspen, 320 + Lift thou up the faggots gently, + Make as little noise as may be, + Lest thy father-in-law should fancy, + Or thy mother-in-law imagine, + That you pitch them down in crossness, + And in temper make them clatter. + + "When you wander to the storehouse, + Thither go to fetch the flour, + Do not linger in the storehouse, + Do not long remain within it, 330 + Lest thy father-in-law should fancy, + Or thy mother-in-law imagine, + You were doling out the flour, + Sharing with the village women. + + "When you go to wash the dishes, + And the pots and pans to scour, + Wash the jugs and wash the handles, + And the rims of mugs for drinking, + Sides of cups with circumspection, + Handles of the spoons remembering, 340 + Mind thou, too, the spoons and count them, + Look thou to the dishes also, + Lest the dogs should steal them from you, + Or the cats should take them from you, + Or the birds away should take them, + Or the children should upset them: + For the village swarms with children, + Many little heads thou findest, + Who might carry off the dishes, + And the spoons about might scatter. 350 + + "When the evening bath is wanted, + Fetch the water and the bath-whisks, + Have the bath-whisks warm and ready, + Fill thou full with steam the bathroom. + Do not take too long about it, + Do not loiter in the bathroom, + Lest thy father-in-law should fancy, + Or thy mother-in-law imagine, + You were lying on the bath-boards, + On the bench your head reclining. 360 + + "When the room again you enter, + Then announce the bath is ready: + 'O my father-in-law beloved, + Now the bath is fully ready: + Water brought, and likewise bath-whisks, + All the boards are cleanly scoured. + Go and bathe thee at thy pleasure, + Wash thou there as it shall please thee, + I myself will mind the steaming, + Standing underneath the boarding.' 370 + + "When the time has come for spinning, + And the time has come for weaving, + In the village seek not counsel, + Do not cross the ditch for teaching, + Seek it not in other households, + Nor the weaver's comb from strangers. + + "Spin thyself the yarn thou needest, + With thy fingers do thou spin it, + Let the yarn be loosely twisted, + But the flaxen thread more closely. 380 + Closely in a ball then wind it, + On the winch securely twist it, + Fix it then upon the warp-beam, + And upon the loom secure it, + Then the shuttle fling thou sharply, + But the yarn do thou draw gently. + Weave the thickest woollen garments, + Woollen gowns construct thou likewise, + From a single fleece prepare them, + From a winter fleece construct them, 390 + From the wool of lamb of springtime, + And the fleece of ewe of summer. + + "Listen now to what I tell thee, + And to what again I tell thee. + Thou must brew the ale of barley, + From the malt the sweet drink fashion, + From a single grain of barley, + And by burning half a tree-trunk. + When the malt begins to sweeten, + Take thou up the malt and taste it. 400 + With the rake disturb it never, + Do not use a stick to turn it, + Always use your hands to stir it, + And your open hands to turn it. + Go thou often to the malthouse, + Do not let the sprout be injured, + Let the cat not sit upon it, + Or the tomcat sleep upon it. + Of the wolves have thou no terror, + Fear thou not the forest monsters, 410 + When thou goest to the bath-house, + Or at midnight forth must wander. + + "When a stranger pays a visit, + Be not angry with the stranger, + For a well-appointed household, + Always has for guests provision: + Scraps of meat that are not needed, + Cakes of bread the very nicest. + + "Ask the guest to sit and rest him, + With the guest converse in friendship, 420 + With thy talk amuse the stranger, + Till the dinner shall be ready. + + "When the house the stranger's leaving, + And he's taking his departure, + Do not thou go with the stranger + Any further than the housedoor, + Lest the husband should be angry, + And thy darling should be gloomy. + + "If you e'er feel inclination + To the village forth to wander, 430 + Ask permission ere thou goest, + There to gossip with the strangers. + In the time that you are absent, + Speak thy words with heedful caution, + Do not grumble at your household, + Nor thy mother-in-law abuse thou. + + "If the village girls should ask you, + Any of the village women, + 'Does your mother-in-law give butter, + As at home your mother gave you?' 440 + Never do thou make the answer, + 'No, she does not give me butter;' + Tell thou always that she gives it, + Gives it to you by the spoonful, + Though 'twas only once in summer, + And another time in winter. + + "List again to what I tell thee, + And again impress upon thee. + When at length this house thou leavest, + And thou comest to the other, 450 + Do thou not forget thy mother, + Or despise thy dearest mother, + For it was thy mother reared thee, + And her beauteous breasts that nursed thee, + From her own delightful body, + From her form of perfect whiteness. + Many nights has she lain sleepless, + Many meals has she forgotten, + While she rocked thee in thy cradle, + Watching fondly o'er her infant. 460 + + "She who should forget her mother, + Or despise her dearest mother, + Ne'er to Manala should travel, + Nor to Tuonela go cheerful. + There in Manala is anguish, + Hard in Tuonela the reckoning, + If she has forgot her mother, + Or despised her dearest mother. + Tuoni's daughters come reproaching, + Mana's maidens all come mocking: 470 + 'Why hast thou forgot thy mother, + Or despised thy dearest mother? + Great the sufferings of thy mother, + Great her sufferings when she bore thee, + Lying groaning in the bathroom, + On a couch of straw extended, + When she gave thee thy existence, + Giving birth to thee, the vile one!'" + + On the ground there sat an old crone, + Sat an old dame 'neath her mantle, 480 + Wanderer o'er the village threshold, + Wanderer through the country's footpaths, + And she spoke the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed her: + "To his mate the cock was singing, + Sang the hen's child to his fair one, + And in March the crow was croaking, + And in days of spring was chattering; + Rather let my singing fail me, + Let me rather check my singing, 490 + Chattering in a house all golden, + Always near to one who loves me; + But no love nor house is left me, + And all love departed from me. + + "Hear, O sister, what I tell thee, + When thy husband's house thou seekest, + Follow not thy husband's notions, + As was done by me unhappy. + Larks have tongues, and husbands notions; + But a lover's heart is greater. 500 + + "I was as a flower that flourished, + As a wild rose in the thicket, + And I grew as grows a sapling, + Grew into a slender maiden. + I was beauteous as a berry, + Rustling in its golden beauty; + In my father's yard a duckling, + On my mother's floor a gosling, + Water-bird unto my brother, + And a goldfinch to my sister. 510 + Flowerlike walked I on the pathway, + As upon the plain the raspberry, + Skipping on the sandy lakeshore, + Dancing on the flower-clad hillocks, + Singing loud in every valley, + Carolling on every hill-top, + Sporting in the leafy forests, + In the charming woods rejoicing. + + "As the trap the fox-mouth seizes, + And the tongue entraps the ermine, 520 + Towards a man inclines a maiden, + And the ways of other households. + So created is the maiden, + That the daughter's inclination + Leads her married, as step-daughter, + As the slave of husband's mother. + As a berry grows in marshland, + And in other waters, cherry. + Like a cranberry sought I sorrow, + Like a strawberry exhortation. 530 + Every tree appeared to bite me, + Every alder seemed to tear me, + Every birch appeared to scold me, + Every aspen to devour me. + + "As my husband's bride they brought me, + To my mother-in-law they led me. + Here there were, as they had told me, + Waiting for the wedded maiden, + Six large rooms of pine constructed, + And of bedrooms twice as many. 540 + Barns along the forest-borders, + By the roadside flowery gardens, + By the ditches fields of barley, + And along the heaths were oatfields, + Chests of corn threshed out already, + Other chests awaiting threshing, + Hundred coins received already, + And a hundred more expected. + + "Foolishly had I gone thither, + Recklessly my hand had given, 550 + For six props the house supported, + Seven small poles the house supported, + And the woods were filled with harshness, + And with lovelessness the forests, + By the roadsides dreary deserts, + In the woodlands thoughts of evil, + Chests containing spoilt provisions, + Other chests beside them spoiling; + And a hundred words reproachful, + And a hundred more to look for. 560 + + "But I let it not distress me, + Hoping there to live in quiet, + Wishing there to dwell in honour, + And a peaceful life to live there; + But when first the room I entered, + Over chips of wood I stumbled. + On the door I knocked my forehead, + And my head against the doorposts. + At the door were eyes of strangers: + Darksome eyes were at the entrance, 570 + Squinting eyes in midst of chamber, + In the background eyes most evil. + From the mouths the fire was flashing, + From beneath the tongues shot firebrands, + From the old man's mouth malicious, + From beneath his tongue unfriendly. + + "But I let it not distress me, + In the house I dwelt unheeding, + Hoping still to live in favour, + And I bore myself with meekness, 580 + And with legs of hare went skipping, + With the step of ermine hurried, + Very late to rest retired, + Very early rose to suffering. + But, unhappy, won no honour, + Mildness brought me only sorrow, + Had I tossed away the torrents, + Or the rocks in twain had cloven. + + "Vainly did I grind coarse flour, + And with pain I crushed its hardness, 590 + That my mother-in-law should eat it, + And her ravenous throat devour it, + At the table-end while sitting, + From a dish with golden borders. + But I ate, unhappy daughter, + Flour scraped up, to handmill cleaving, + With my ladle from the hearthstone, + With my spoon from off the pestle. + + "Oft I brought, O me unhappy, + I, the son's wife, to his dwelling, 600 + Mosses from the swampy places, + And as bread for me I baked it. + Water from the well I carried, + And I drank it up in mouthfuls. + Fish I ate, O me unhappy, + Smelts I ate, O me unhappy, + As above the net I leaned me, + In the boat as I was swaying, + For no fish received I ever + From my mother-in-law neglectful, 610 + Neither in a day of plenty, + Nor a day of double plenty. + + "Fodder gathered I in summer, + Winter worked I with the pitchfork, + Even as a labourer toiling, + Even as a hired servant, + And my mother-in-law for ever, + Evermore for me selected, + Worst of all the flails for threshing, + Heaviest mallet from the bathroom, 620 + From the beach the heaviest mallet, + In the stall the largest pitchfork. + Never did they think me weary, + Nor my weakness e'er considered, + Though my work had wearied heroes, + Or the strength of foals exhausted. + + "Thus did I, a girl unhappy, + Work at proper time for working, + And my shoulders stooped with weakness; + And at other times they ordered 630 + That the fire should now be kindled, + With my hands that I should stir it. + + "To their hearts' desire they scolded, + With their tongues they heaped reproaches + On my spotless reputation, + On my character, though stainless. + Evil words they heaped upon me, + And abuse they showered upon me, + Like the sparks from furious fire, + Or a very hail of iron. 640 + + "Until then despaired I never, + And had spent my life as erstwhile + There to aid the harsh old woman, + To her fiery tongue submitting: + But 'twas this that brought me evil, + This that caused me greatest anguish, + When to wolf was changed my husband, + To a growling bear converted, + Turned his side to me when eating, + Turned his back asleep or working. 650 + + "I myself broke out in weeping, + And I pondered in the storehouse, + And my former life remembering, + And my life in former seasons, + In the homestead of my father, + In my sweetest mother's dwelling. + + "Then in words I spoke my feelings, + And I spoke the words which follow: + 'Well indeed my dearest mother + Understood to rear her apple, 660 + And the tender shoot to cherish, + But she knew not where to plant it, + For the tender shoot is planted + In a very evil station, + In a very bad position, + 'Mid the hard roots of a birch-tree, + There to weep while life remaineth, + And to spend the months lamenting. + + "'Surely, surely, I am worthy + Of a home than this much better, 670 + Worthy of a larger homestead, + And a floor more wide-extended, + Worthy of a better partner, + And a husband far more handsome. + With a birchbark shoe I'm fitted, + With a slipshod shoe of birchbark, + Like a very crow's his body, + With a beak like any raven, + And his mouth like wolf's is greedy, + And his form a bear resembles. 680 + + "'Such a one I might have found me, + If I'd wandered to the mountains, + Picked from off the road a pine-stump, + From the wood a stump of alder, + For his face the turf resembles, + And his beard the moss from tree-trunks, + Head of clay, and mouth all stony, + And his eyes like coals of fire, + Knobs of birch his ears resemble, + And his legs are forking willows.' 690 + + "While my song I thus was singing, + Sighing in my grievous trouble, + He, my husband, chanced to hear it, + At the wall as he was standing. + When I heard him then approaching, + At the storehouse gate when standing, + I was conscious of his coming, + For I recognized his footstep. + And his hair in wind was tossing, + And his hair was all disordered, 700 + And his gums with rage were grinning, + And his eyes with fury staring, + In his hand a stick of cherry, + 'Neath his arm a club he carried, + And he hurried to attack me, + And upon the head he struck me. + + "When the evening came thereafter, + And there came the time for sleeping, + At his side a rod he carried, + Took from nail a whip of leather, 710 + Not designed to flay another, + But alas, for me, unhappy. + + "Then when I myself retired, + To my resting-place at evening, + By my husband's side I stretched me, + By my side my husband rested, + When he seized me by the elbows, + With his wicked hands he grasped me, + And with willow rods he beat me, + And the haft of bone of walrus. 720 + + "From his cold side then I raised me, + And I left the bed of coldness, + But behind me ran my husband, + From the door came wildly rushing. + In my hair his hands he twisted, + Grasping it in all his fury, + In the wind my hair he scattered, + To the winds of spring abandoned. + + "What advice should now be followed, + Where had I to look for counsel? 730 + Shoes of steel I put upon me, + Bands of copper put upon me, + As I stood beyond the house-wall. + In the street for long I listened, + Till the wretch should calm his fury, + And his passion had subsided, + But his anger never slumbered, + Neither for a time abated. + + "At the last the cold o'ercame me, + In my hiding-place so dismal, 740 + Where I stood beyond the house-wall, + And without the door I waited, + And I pondered and reflected: + 'This I cannot bear for ever, + Nor can bear their hatred longer, + Longer can I not endure it, + In this dreadful house of Lempo, + In this lair of evil demons.' + + "From the handsome house I turned me, + And my pleasant home abandoned, 750 + And commenced my weary wanderings, + Through the swamps and through the lowlands, + Past the open sheets of water, + Past the cornfields of my brother. + There the dry pines all were rustling, + And the crowns of fir-trees singing, + All the crows were croaking loudly, + And the magpies all were chattering, + + "'Here for thee no home remaineth, + In the house thy birth which witnessed.' 760 + + "But I let it not distress me, + As I neared my brother's homestead, + But the gates themselves addressed me, + And the cornfields all lamented: + + "'Wherefore hast thou thus come homeward, + What sad news to hear, O wretched? + Long ago has died thy father, + Perished has thy sweetest mother, + All estranged is now thy brother, + And his wife is like a Russian.' 770 + + "But I let it not distress me, + And at once the house I entered, + At the door I grasped the handle, + Cold within my hand I felt it. + + "After, when the room I entered, + In the doorway I was standing, + And the mistress stood there proudly, + But she did not come to meet me, + Nor to me her hand she offered. + I myself was proud as she was, 780 + And I would not go to meet her, + And my hand I would not offer. + On the stove my hand I rested. + Cold I felt the very hearthstones, + To the burning coals I reached it; + In the stove the coals were frozen. + + "On the bench there lay my brother, + Lazy on the bench extended, + On his shoulders soot by fathoms, + And by spans upon his body, 790 + On his head glowed coals a yard high, + And of hard-caked soot a quartful. + + "Asked my brother of the stranger, + Of the guest he thus inquired: + 'Stranger, why hast crossed the water?' + + "And on this I gave him answer: + 'Dost thou then not know thy sister, + Once the daughter of thy mother? + We are children of one mother, + Of one bird are we the nestlings: 800 + By one goose have we been nurtured, + In one grouse's nest been fostered.' + + "Then my brother broke out weeping, + From his eyes the tears were falling. + + "To his wife then said my brother, + And he whispered to his darling, + 'Bring some food to give my sister!' + But with mocking eyes she brought me + Cabbage-stalks from out the kitchen, + Whence the whelp the fat had eaten, 810 + And the dog had licked the salt from, + And the black dog had his meal of. + + "To his wife then said my brother, + And he whispered to his darling, + 'Fetch some ale to give the stranger!' + But with mocking eyes she carried + Water only for the stranger, + But, instead of drinking water, + Water she had washed her face in, + And her sister washed her hands in. 820 + + "From my brother's house I wandered, + Left the house that I was born in, + Hurried forth, O me unhappy, + Wandered on, O me unhappy, + Wretched on the shores to wander, + Toiling on, for ever wretched, + Always to the doors of strangers, + Always to the gates of strangers, + On the beach, with poorest children, + Sufferers of the village poorhouse. 830 + + "There were many of the people, + Many were there who abused me, + And with evil words attacked me, + And with sharpest words repulsed me. + Few there are among the people + Who have spoken to me kindly, + And with kindly words received me, + And before the stove who led me, + When I came from out the rainstorm, + Or from out the cold came shrinking, 840 + With my dress with rime all covered, + While the snow my fur cloak covered. + + "In my youthful days I never, + I could never have believed it, + Though a hundred told me of it, + And a thousand tongues repeated + Such distress should fall upon me, + Such distress should overwhelm me, + As upon my head has fallen, + Laid upon my hands such burdens." 850 + + + + +RUNO XXIV.--THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM + + +_Argument_ + +The bridegroom is instructed how he should behave towards his bride, and +is cautioned not to treat her badly (1-264). An old beggar relates how +he once brought his wife to reason (265-296). The bride remembers with +tears that she is now quitting her dear birthplace for the rest of her +life, and says farewell to all (297-462). Ilmarinen lifts his bride into +the sledge and reaches his home on the evening of the third day +(463-528). + + Now the girl had well been lectured, + And the bride had been instructed; + Let me now address my brother, + Let me lecture now the bridegroom. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Thou the best of all my brothers, + Dearest of my mother's children, + Gentlest of my father's children, + Listen now to what I tell thee, + What I speak and what I tell thee, 10 + Of thy linnet who awaits thee, + And the dove that thou hast captured. + + "Bridegroom, bless thy happy fortune, + For the fair one granted to thee, + When thou praisest, praise thou loudly, + Loudly praise the good that's granted, + Loudly praise thou thy Creator, + For the gracious gift He granted, + And her father praise thou also, + Even more her mother praise thou, 20 + They who reared their lovely daughter + To the charming bride beside thee. + + "Stainless sits the maid beside thee, + Maiden bright to thee united, + Pledged to thee in all her beauty, + Fair one under thy protection, + Charming girl upon thy bosom, + At thy side so sweetly blushing, + Girl with strength to help in threshing, + Or to help thee in the hayfield, 30 + Skilful, too, to do the washing, + Quick to bleach the clothes to whiteness, + Skilful, too, the thread in spinning, + Rapid, too, the cloth when weaving. + + "And I hear her loom resounding, + As upon the hill the cuckoo, + And I see her shuttle darting, + As the ermine through a thicket, + And the reel she twists as quickly + As the squirrel's mouth a fir-cone. 40 + Never sound has slept the village, + Nor the country people slumbered, + For her loom's incessant clatter, + And the whizzing of the shuttle. + + "O thou loved and youthful bridegroom, + Handsomest of all the people, + Forge thou now a scythe of sharpness, + Fix the best of handles on it, + Carve it, sitting in the doorway, + Hammer it upon a tree-stump. 50 + When there comes the time of sunshine, + Take thy young wife to the meadow, + Look thou where the grass is rustling, + And the harder grass is crackling, + And the reeds are gently murmuring, + And the sorrel gently rustling, + Also note where stand the hillocks, + And the shoots from stumps arising. + + "When another day is dawning, + Let her have a weaver's shuttle, 60 + And a batten that shall suit it, + And a loom of best construction, + And a treadle of the finest. + Make the weaver's chair all ready, + For the damsel fix the treadle, + Lay her hand upon the batten. + Soon the shuttle shall be singing, + And the treadle shall be thumping, + Till the rattling fills the village, + And the noise is heard beyond it: 70 + And the crones will all perceive it, + And the village women question, + 'Who is this we hear a-weaving?' + And you thus must make them answer: + ''Tis my own, my darling, weaving, + 'Tis my loved one makes the clatter, + Shall she loosen now the fabric, + And the shuttle cease from throwing?' + + "'Let her not the fabric loosen, + Nor the shuttle cease from throwing. 80 + Thus may weave the Moon's fair daughters, + Thus may spin the Sun's fair daughters, + Even thus the Great Bear's daughters. + Of the lovely stars the daughters.' + + "O thou loved and youthful bridegroom, + Handsomest of all the people, + Set thou forth upon thy journey, + Hasten to commence thy journey, + Bear away thy youthful maiden, + Bear away thy dove so lovely. 90 + From thy finch depart thou never, + Nor desert thy darling linnet; + In the ditches do not drive her, + Nor against the hedge-stakes drive her, + Nor upset her on the tree-stumps, + Nor in stony places cast her. + In her father's house she never, + In her dearest mother's homestead, + In the ditches has been driven, + Nor against the hedge-stakes driven, 100 + Nor upset upon the tree-stumps, + Nor upset in stony places. + + "O thou loved and youthful bridegroom, + Handsomest of all the people, + Never may'st thou send the damsel, + Never may'st thou push the fair one + In the corner there to loiter, + Or to rummage in the corner. + In her father's house she never, + Never in her mother's household, 110 + Went to loiter in the corner, + Or to rummage in the corner. + Always sat she at the window, + In the room she sat, and rocked her, + As her father's joy at evening, + And her mother's love at morning. + + "Never may'st thou, luckless husband, + Never may'st thou lead thy dovekin, + Where with arum-roots the mortar, + Stands, the rind to pound from off them, 120 + Or her bread from straw prepare her, + Neither from the shoots of fir-trees. + In her father's house she never, + In her tender mother's household, + Needed thus to use the mortar, + Pounding thus the rind from marsh-roots, + Nor from straw her bread prepare her, + Neither from the shoots of fir-tree. + + "May'st thou always lead this dovekin + To a slope with corn abundant, 130 + Or to help her from the rye-bins, + From the barley-bins to gather, + Whence large loaves of bread to bake her, + And the best of ale to brew her, + Loaves of wheaten-bread to bake her, + Kneaded dough for cakes prepare her. + + "Bridegroom, dearest of my brothers, + Never may'st thou make this dovekin, + Nor may'st cause our tender gosling, + Down to sit, and weep in sadness. 140 + If there comes an hour of evil, + And the damsel should be dreary + Yoke thou in the sledge the chestnut, + Or the white horse do thou harness, + Drive her to her father's dwelling, + To her mother's home familiar. + + "Never may'st thou treat this dovekin, + Never may this darling linnet, + Ever be like slave-girl treated, + Neither like a hired servant, 150 + Neither be forbid the cellar, + Nor the storehouse closed against her + Never in her father's dwelling, + In her tender mother's household, + Was she treated like a slave-girl, + Neither like a hired servant, + Neither was forbid the cellar, + Nor the storehouse closed against her. + Always did she cut the wheatbread, + And the hens' eggs also looked to, 160 + And she looked to all the milk-tubs, + Looked within the ale-casks likewise, + In the morn the storehouse opened, + Locked it also in the evening. + + "O thou loved and youthful bridegroom, + Handsomest of all the people, + If thou treatest well the damsel, + Thou wilt meet a good reception + When thou seek'st her father's dwelling, + Visiting her much loved mother. 170 + Thou thyself wilt well be feasted, + Food and drink be set before thee, + And thy horse will be unharnessed, + And be led into the stable, + Drink and fodder set before him, + And a bowl of oats provided. + + "Never surely, may our damsel, + May our well-beloved linnet, + Be in hissing tones upbraided, + That from no high race she springeth; 180 + For in very truth our damsel + Comes of great and famous lineage. + If of beans you sow a measure + One bean each, it yields her kinsfolk; + If of flax you sow a measure, + But a thread it yields to each one. + + "Never may'st thou, luckless husband, + Badly treat this beauteous damsel, + Nor chastise her with the slave-whip, + Weeping 'neath the thongs of leather, 190 + 'Neath the five-lashed whip lamenting, + Out beyond the barn lamenting. + Never was the maid aforetime, + Never in her father's dwelling, + With the slave-whip e'er corrected, + Weeping 'neath the thongs of leather, + 'Neath the five-lashed whip lamenting, + Out beyond the barn lamenting. + + "Stand thou like a wall before her, + Stand before her like a doorpost, 200 + Do not let thy mother beat her, + Do not let thy father scold her, + Do not let the guests abuse her, + Do not let the neighbours blame her. + Drive the mob away with whipping, + Beat thou other people only, + Do thou not oppress thy darling, + Nor chastise thy heart's beloved, + Whom for three long years thou waitedst, + She whom thou alone hast longed for. 210 + + "Bridegroom, give thy bride instruction, + And do thou instruct thy apple, + In the bed do thou instruct her, + And behind the door advise her, + For a whole year thus instruct her, + Thus by word of mouth advise her, + With thine eyes the next year teach her, + And the third year teach by stamping. + + "If to this she pays no heeding, + Nor concerns herself about it, 220 + Choose a reed where reeds are growing, + From the heath fetch thou some horse-tail, + And with these correct the damsel, + In the fourth year thus correct her, + With the stalks then whip her lightly, + With the rough edge of the sedges, + But with whiplash do not strike her, + Neither with the rod correct her. + + "If to this she pays no heeding, + Nor concerns herself about it, 230 + Bring a switch from out the thicket, + In the dell select a birch-rod, + Underneath thy fur cloak hide it, + That the neighbours may not know it, + Let the damsel only see it; + Threaten her, but do not touch her. + + "If to this she pays no heeding, + Nor concerns herself about it, + With the switch correct the damsel, + With the birch-rod do thou teach her, 240 + But within the room four-cornered, + Or within the hut moss-covered. + Do not beat her in the meadow, + Do not whip her in the cornfield, + Lest the noise should reach the village, + And to other homes the quarrel, + Neighbours' wives should hear the crying, + And the uproar in the forest. + + "Always strike her on the shoulders, + On her soft cheeks do thou strike her, 250 + On her eyes forbear to strike her, + On her ears forbear to touch her; + Lumps would rise upon her temples, + And her eyes with blue be bordered, + And the brother-in-law would question, + And the father-in-law perceive it, + And the village ploughmen see it, + And would laugh the village women: + + "'Has she been among the spear-thrusts, + Has she marched into a battle, 260 + Or the mouth of wolf attacked her, + Or the forest bear has mauled her, + Or was perhaps the wolf her husband, + Was the bear perchance her consort?'" + By the stove there lay an old man, + By the hearth there sat a beggar; + From the stove there spoke the old man, + From the hearth there spoke the beggar. + + "Never may'st thou, luckless husband, + Listen to thy wife's opinion, 270 + Tongue of lark, and whim of women, + Like myself, a youth unhappy, + For both bread and meat I bought her, + Bought her butter, ale I bought her, + Every sort of fish I bought her, + Bought her all sorts of provisions, + Home-brewed ale the best I bought her, + Likewise wheat from foreign countries. + + "But she let it not content her, + Nor did it improve her temper, 280 + For one day the room she entered, + And she grasped my hair, and tore it, + And her face was quite distorted, + And her eyes were wildly rolling, + Always scolding in her fury, + To her heart's contentment scolding, + Heaping foul abuse upon me, + Roaring at me as a sluggard. + + "But I knew another method, + Knew another way to tame her, 290 + So I peeled myself a birch-shoot, + When she came, and called me birdie; + But when juniper I gathered, + Then she stooped, and called me darling; + When I lifted rods of willow, + On my neck she fell embracing." + + Now the hapless girl was sighing, + Sighing much, and sobbing sadly; + Presently she broke out weeping, + And she spoke the words which follow: 300 + "Soon most now depart the others, + And the time is fast approaching, + But my own departure's nearer, + Swiftly comes my time for parting. + Mournful is indeed my going, + Sad the hour of my departure, + From this far-renowned village, + And this ever-charming homestead, + Where my face was ever joyful, + And I grew to perfect stature, 310 + All the days that I was growing, + While my childhood's years were passing. + + "Until now I never pondered, + Nor believed in all my lifetime, + Never thought on my departure, + Realized my separation, + From the precincts of this castle, + From the hill where it is builded. + Now I feel I am departing, + And I know that I am going. 320 + Empty are the parting goblets, + And the ale of parting finished, + And the sledges all are waiting, + Front to fields, and back to homestead, + With one side towards the stables, + And the other to the cowhouse. + + "Whence comes now my separation, + Whence my sadness at departure, + How my mother's milk repay her. + Or the goodness of my father, 330 + Or my brother's love repay him, + Or my sister's fond affection? + + "Thanks to thee, my dearest father, + For my former life so joyful, + For the food of days passed over, + For the best of all the dainties + Thanks to thee, my dearest mother, + For my childhood's cradle-rocking, + For thy tending of the infant, + Whom thou at thy breast hast nurtured. 340 + + "Also thanks, my dearest brother, + Dearest brother, dearest sister, + Happiness to all the household, + All companions of my childhood, + Those with whom I lived and sported, + And who grew from childhood with me. + + "May thou not, O noble father, + May thou not, O tender mother, + Or my other noble kindred, + Or my race, the most illustrious, 350 + Ever fall into affliction, + Or oppressed by grievous trouble, + That I thus desert my country, + That I wander to a distance. + Shines the sun of the Creator, + Beams the moon of the Creator, + And the stars of heaven are shining, + And the Great Bear is extended + Ever in the distant heavens, + Evermore in other regions, 360 + Not alone at father's homestead, + In the home where passed my childhood. + + "Truly must I now be parted + From the home I loved so dearly, + From my father's halls be carried, + From among my mother's cellars, + Leave the swamps and fields behind me, + Leave behind me all the meadows, + Leave behind the sparkling waters, + Leave the sandy shore behind me, 370 + Where the village women bathe them, + And the shepherd-boys are splashing. + + "I must leave the quaking marshes, + And the wide-extending lowlands, + And the peaceful alder-thickets, + And the tramping through the heather, + And the strolling past the hedgerows, + And the loitering on the pathways, + And my dancing through the farmyards, + And my standing by the house-walls, 380 + And the cleaning of the planking, + And the scrubbing of the flooring, + Leave the fields where leap the reindeer, + And the woods where run the lynxes, + And the wastes where flock the wild geese, + And the woods where birds are perching. + + "Now indeed I am departing, + All the rest I leave behind me; + In the folds of nights of autumn, + On the thin ice of the springtime, 390 + On the ice I leave no traces, + On the slippery ice no footprints, + From my dress no thread upon it, + Nor in snow my skirt's impression. + + "If I should return in future, + And again my home revisit, + Mother hears my voice no longer, + Nor my father heeds my weeping, + Though I'm sobbing in the corner, + Or above their heads am speaking, 400 + For the young grass springs already + And the juniper is sprouting + O'er the sweet face of my mother, + And the cheeks of her who bore me. + + "If I should return in future + To the wide-extended homestead, + I shall be no more remembered, + Only by two little objects. + At the lowest hedge are hedge-bands, + At the furthest field are hedge-stakes, 410 + These I fixed when I was little, + As a girl with twigs I bound them. + + "But my mother's barren heifer, + Unto which I carried water, + And which as a calf I tended, + She will low to greet my coming, + From the dunghill of the farmyard, + Or the wintry fields around it; + She will know me, when returning, + As the daughter of the household. 420 + + "Then my father's splendid stallion, + Which I fed when I was little, + Which as girl I often foddered, + He will neigh to greet my coming, + From the dunghill of the farmyard, + Or the wintry fields around it; + He will know me, when returning, + As the daughter of the household. + + "Then the dog, my brother's favourite + Which as child I fed so often, 430 + Which I trained when in my girlhood, + He will bark to greet my coming, + From the dunghill of the farmyard, + Or the wintry fields around it; + He will know me, when returning, + As the daughter of the household. + + "But the others will not know me, + To my former home returning, + Though my boats are still the old ones, + As when here I lived aforetime, 440 + By the shores where swim the powans, + And the nets are spread as usual. + + "Now farewell, thou room beloved, + Thou my room, with roof of boarding; + Good it were for me returning, + That I once again should scrub thee. + + "Now farewell, thou hall beloved, + Thou my hall, with floor of boarding; + Good it were for me returning, + That I once again should scrub thee. 450 + + "Now farewell, thou yard beloved, + With my lovely mountain-ashtree; + Good it were for me returning, + Once again to wander round thee. + + "Now farewell to all things round me, + Berry-bearing fields and forests, + And the flower-bearing roadsides, + And the heaths o'ergrown with heather, + And the lakes with hundred islands, + And the depths where swim the powans, 460 + And the fair hills with the fir-trees, + And the swampy ground with birch-trees." + + Then the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + In the sledge the maiden lifted, + With his whip he lashed the coursers, + And he spoke the words which follow: + "Now farewell to all the lakeshores, + Shores of lakes, and slopes of meadows, + All the pine-trees on the hill-sides, + And the tall trees in the firwoods, 470 + And behind the house the alders, + And the junipers by well-sides, + In the plains, all berry-bushes, + Berry-bushes, stalks of grasses, + Willow-bushes, stumps of fir-trees, + Alder-leaves, and bark of birch-trees!" + + Thus at length, smith Ilmarinen + Forth from Pohjola departed, + With the children farewells singing, + And they sang the words which follow: 480 + + "Hither flew a bird of blackness, + Through the wood he speeded swiftly, + Well he knew to lure our duckling, + And entice from us our berry, + And he took from us our apple, + Drew the fish from out the water, + Lured her with a little money, + And enticed her with his silver. + Who will fetch us now the water, + Who will take us to the river? 490 + + "Now remain the buckets standing, + And the yoke is idly rattling, + And the floor unswept remaineth, + And unswept remains the planking, + Empty now are all the pitchers, + And the jugs two-handled dirty." + + But the smith, e'en Ilmarinen, + With the young girl hastened homeward, + Driving rattling on his journey, + From the magic coast of Pohja, 500 + By the shore of Sound of Sima. + On he drove across the sandhills, + Shingle crashed, and sand was shaking, + Swayed the sledge, the pathway rattled, + Loudly rang the iron runners, + And the frame of birch resounded, + And the curving laths were rattling, + Shaking was the cherry collar, + And the whiplash whistling loudly, + And the rings of copper shaking, 510 + As the noble horse sprang forward, + As the White-front galloped onward. + + Drove the smith one day, a second, + Driving likewise on the third day; + With one hand the horse he guided, + And with one embraced the damsel, + One foot on the sledge-side rested, + Underneath the rug the other. + Quick they sped, and fast they journeyed, + And at length upon the third day 520 + Just about the time of sunset, + Hove in sight the smith's fair dwelling + And they came to Ilma's homestead, + And the smoke in streaks ascended, + And the smoke rose thickly upward, + From the house in wreaths arising, + Up amid the clouds ascending. + + + + +RUNO XXV.--THE HOME-COMING OF THE BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM + + +_Argument_ + +The bride, the bridegroom and their company are received at the home of +Ilmarinen (1-382). The company are hospitably entertained with food and +drink: and Vainamoinen sings the praises of the host, the hostess, the +inviter, the bridesmaid, and the other wedding-guests (383-672). On the +way back Vainamoinen's sledge breaks down, but he repairs it, and drives +home (673-738). + + Long already 'twas expected, + Long expected and awaited, + That the new bride soon would enter + The abode of Ilmarinen; + And the eyes with rheum were dripping + Of the old folks at the windows, + And the young folks' knees were failing + As about the door they waited, + And the children's feet were freezing, + By the wall as they were standing, 10 + Mid-aged folks their shoes were spoiling, + As upon the beach they wandered. + + And at length upon a morning, + Just about the time of sunrise, + From the wood they heard a rattling, + As the sledge came rushing onward. + + Lokka then the kindest hostess, + Kaleva's most handsome matron, + Uttered then the words which follow: + "'Tis my son's sledge now approaching, 20 + As from Pohjola he cometh, + And he brings the youthful damsel. + Straight he journeys to this country, + To the homestead hastens onward, + To the house his father gave him, + Which his parents had constructed." + + Therefore thus did Ilmarinen + Hasten forward to the homestead, + To the house his father gave him, + Which his parents had constructed. 30 + + Hazel-grouse were twittering blithely + On the collar formed of saplings, + And the cuckoos all were calling, + On the sledge's sides while sitting, + And the squirrels leaped and frolicked + On the shafts of maple fashioned. + + Lokka then the kindest hostess, + Kaleva's most beauteous matron, + Uttered then the words which follow, + And in words like these expressed her: 40 + + "For the new moon waits the village, + And the young await the sunrise, + Children search where grow the berries, + And the water waits the tarred boat; + For no half-moon have I waited, + Nor the sun have I awaited, + But I waited for my brother, + For my brother and step-daughter, + Gazed at morning, gazed at evening, + Knew not what had happened to them, 50 + If a child he had been rearing, + Or a lean one he had fattened, + That he came not any sooner, + Though he faithfully had promised + Soon to turn his footsteps homeward, + Ere defaced had been his footprints. + + "Ever gazed I forth at morning, + And throughout the day I pondered, + If my brother was not coming, + Nor his sledge was speeding onward 60 + Swiftly to this little homestead, + To this very narrow dwelling. + Though the horse were but a straw one, + And the sledge were but two runners, + Yet a sledge I still would call it, + And a sledge would still esteem it, + If it homeward brought my brother, + And another fair one with him. + + "Thus throughout my life I wished it, + This throughout the day I looked for, 70 + Till my head bowed down with gazing, + And my hair bulged up in ridges, + And my bright eyes were contracted, + Hoping for my brother's coming + Swiftly to this little household, + To this very narrow dwelling, + And at length my son is coming, + And in truth is coming swiftly, + With a lovely form beside him, + And a rose-cheeked girl beside him. 80 + + "Bridegroom, O my dearest brother, + Now the white-front horse unharness, + Do thou lead the noble courser + To his own familiar pasture, + To the oats but lately garnered; + Then bestow thy greetings on us, + Greet us here, and greet the others, + All the people of the village. + + "When thou hast bestowed thy greetings, + Thou must tell us all thy story. 90 + Did thy journey lack adventures, + Hadst thou health upon thy journey, + To thy mother-in-law when faring, + To thy father-in-law's dear homestead, + There to woo and win the maiden, + Beating down the gates of battle, + And the maiden's castle storming, + Breaking down the walls uplifted, + Stepping on her mother's threshold, + Sitting at her father's table? 100 + + "But I see without my asking, + And perceive without inquiry, + He has prospered on his journey, + With his journey well contented. + He has wooed and won the gosling, + Beaten down the gates of battle, + Broken down the boarded castle, + And the walls of linden shattered, + When her mother's house he entered, + And her father's home he entered. 110 + In his care is now the duckling, + In his arms behold the dovekin, + At his side the modest damsel, + Shining in her radiant beauty. + + "Who has brought the lie unto us, + And the ill report invented, + That the bridegroom came back lonely, + And his horse had sped for nothing? + For the bridegroom comes not lonely, + Nor his horse has sped for nothing; 120 + Perhaps the horse has brought back something, + For his white mane he is shaking, + For the noble horse is sweating, + And the foal with foam is whitened, + From his journey with the dovekin, + When he drew the blushing damsel. + + "In the sledge stand up, O fair one, + On its floor, O gift most noble, + Do thou raise thyself unaided, + And do thou arise unlifted, 130 + If the young man tries to lift thee, + And the proud one seeks to raise thee. + + "From the sledge do thou upraise thee, + From the sledge do thou release thee, + Walk upon this flowery pathway, + On the path of liver-colour, + Which the swine have trod quite even, + And the hogs have trampled level, + Over which have passed the lambkins, + And the horses' manes swept over. 140 + + "Step thou with the step of gosling, + Strut thou with the feet of duckling, + In the yard that's washed so cleanly, + On the smooth and level grassplot, + Where the father rules the household, + And the mother holds dominion, + To the workplace of the brother, + And the sister's blue-flowered meadow. + + "Set thy foot upon the threshold, + Then upon the porch's flooring, 150 + On the honeyed floor advance thou, + Next the inner rooms to enter, + Underneath these famous rafters, + Underneath this roof so lovely. + + "It was in this very winter, + In the summer just passed over, + Sang the floor composed of duckbones, + That thyself should stand upon it, + And the golden roof resounded + That thou soon should'st walk beneath it, 160 + And the windows were rejoicing, + For thy sitting at the windows. + + "It was in this very winter, + In the summer just passed over, + Often rattled the door-handles, + For the ringed hands that should close them, + And the stairs were likewise creaking + For the fair one robed so grandly, + And the doors stood always open, + And their opener thus awaited. 170 + + "It was in this very winter, + In the summer just passed over, + That the room around has turned it, + Unto those the room who dusted, + And the hall has made it ready + For the sweepers, when they swept it, + And the very barns were chirping + To the sweepers as they swept them. + + "It was in this very winter, + In the summer just passed over, 180 + That the yard in secret turned it + To the gatherer of the splinters, + And the storehouses bowed downward, + For the wanderer who should enter, + Rafters bowed, and beams bent downward + To receive the young wife's wardrobe. + + "It was in this very winter, + In the summer just passed over, + That the pathways had been sighing + For the sweeper of the pathways, 190 + And the cowsheds nearer drawing + To the cleanser of the cowsheds; + Songs and dances were abandoned, + Till should sing and dance our duckling. + + "On this very day already, + And upon the day before it, + Early has the cow been lowing, + And her morning hay expecting, + And the foal has loud been neighing + That his truss of hay be cast him, 200 + And the lamb of spring has bleated, + That its food its mistress bring it. + + "On this very day already, + And upon the day before it, + Sat the old folks at the windows, + On the beach there ran the children, + By the wall there stood the women, + In the porch-door youths were waiting, + Waiting for the youthful mistress, + And the bride they all awaited. 210 + + "Hail to all within the household, + Likewise hail to all the heroes, + Hail, O barn, and all within thee, + Barn, and all the guests within thee, + Hail, O hall, and all within thee, + Birchbark roof, and all thy people, + Hail, O room, and all within thee, + Hundred-boards, with all thy children! + Hail, O moon, to thee, O monarch, + And the bridal train so youthful! 220 + Never was there here aforetime, + Never yesterday nor ever, + Was a bridal train so splendid: + Never were such handsome people. + + "Bridegroom, O my dearest brother, + Let the red cloths now be loosened, + Laid aside the veils all silken; + Let us see thy cherished marten, + Whom for five long years thou wooed'st, + And for eight years thou hast longed for. 230 + + "Hast thou brought whom thou hast wished for, + Hast thou brought with thee the cuckoo, + From the land a fair one chosen, + Or a rosy water-maiden? + + "But I see without my asking, + Comprehend without inquiry, + Thou has really brought the cuckoo, + Hast the blue duck in thy keeping; + Greenest of the topmost branches, + Thou hast brought from out the greenwood, 240 + Freshest of the cherry-branches, + From the freshest cherry-thickets." + + On the floor there sat an infant, + From the floor spoke out the infant: + + "O my brother, what thou bringest, + Is a tar-stump void of beauty, + Half as long as a tar-barrel, + And as tall as is a bobbin. + + "Shame, O shame, unhappy bridegroom, + All thy life thou hast desired, 250 + Vowed to choose from hundred maidens, + And among a thousand maidens, + Bring the noblest of the hundred, + From a thousand unattractive; + From the swamp you bring a lapwing, + From the hedge you bring a magpie, + From the field you bring a scarecrow, + From the fallow field a blackbird. + + "What has she as yet accomplished, + In the summer just passed over, 260 + If the gloves she was not weaving, + Nor begun to make the stockings? + Empty to the house she cometh, + To our household brings no presents, + Mice are squeaking in the baskets, + Long-eared mice are in the coppers." + + Lokka, most accomplished hostess, + Kaleva's most handsome matron, + Heard these wondrous observations, + And replied in words which follow: 270 + + "Wretched child, what art thou saying? + To thy own disgrace thou speakest! + Thou may'st wonders hear of others, + Others may'st perchance disparage, + But thou may'st not shame this damsel, + Nor the people of this household. + + "Bad the words that thou hast uttered, + Bad the words that thou hast spoken, + With the mouth of calf of night-time, + With the head of day-old puppy. 280 + Handsome is this noble damsel, + Noblest she of all the country, + Even like a ripening cranberry, + Or a strawberry on the mountain, + Like the cuckoo in the tree-top, + Little bird in mountain-ashtree, + In the birch a feathered songster, + White-breast bird upon the maple. + + "Ne'er from Saxony came ever, + Nor in Viro could they fashion 290 + Such a girl of perfect beauty, + Such a duck without an equal, + With a countenance so lovely, + And so noble in her stature, + And with arms of such a whiteness, + And with slender neck so graceful. + + "Neither comes the damsel dowerless, + Furs enough she brought us hither, + Blankets, too, as gifts she brought us, + Cloths as well she carried with her. 300 + + "Much already has this damsel + Wrought by working with her spindle, + On her own reel has she wound it, + With her fingers much has finished. + Cloths of very brilliant lustre + Has she folded up in winter, + In the spring days has she bleached them, + In the summer months has dried them; + Splendid sheets the beds to spread on, + Cushions soft for heads to rest on, 310 + Silken neckcloths of the finest, + Woollen mantles of the brightest. + + "Noble damsel, fairest damsel, + With thy beautiful complexion, + In the house wilt thou be honoured, + As in father's house the daughter, + All thy life shalt thou be honoured, + As in husband's house the mistress. + + "Never will we cause thee trouble, + Never trouble bring upon thee. 320 + To the swamp thou wast not carried, + Nor from the ditch-side they brought thee, + From the cornfields rich they brought thee, + But to better fields they led thee, + And they took thee from the ale-house, + To a home where ale is better. + + "Noble girl, and fairest damsel, + One thing only will I ask thee, + Didst thou notice on thy journey + Shocks of corn that stood uplifted, 330 + Ears of rye in shocks uplifted, + All belonging to this homestead, + From the ploughing of thy husband? + He has ploughed and he has sown it. + + "Dearest girl, and youthful damsel, + This is what I now will tell thee, + Thou hast willed our house to enter: + Be contented with the household. + Here 'tis good to be the mistress, + Good to be a fair-faced daughter, 340 + Sitting here among the milk-pans, + Butter-dishes at thy service. + + "This is pleasant for a damsel, + Pleasant for a fair-faced dovekin. + Broad the planking of the bathroom, + Broad within the rooms the benches, + Here the master's like thy father, + And the mistress like thy mother, + And the sons are like thy brothers, + And the daughters like thy sisters. 350 + + "If the longing e'er should seize thee, + And the wish should overtake thee, + For the fish thy father captured, + Or for grouse to ask thy brother, + From thy brother-in-law ask nothing, + From thy father-in-law ask nothing; + Best it is to ask thy husband, + Ask him to obtain them for thee. + There are not within the forest + Any four-legged beasts that wander, 360 + Neither birds in air that flutter + Two-winged birds with rushing pinions, + Neither in the shining waters + Swarm the best of all the fishes, + Which thy husband cannot capture; + He can catch and bring them to thee. + + "Here 'tis good to be a damsel, + Here to be a fair-faced dovekin; + Need is none to work the stone-mill; + Need is none to work the mortar; 370 + Here the wheat is ground by water, + And the rye by foaming torrents, + And the stream cleans all utensils, + And the lake-foam cleanses all things. + + "O thou lovely little village, + Fairest spot in all the country! + Grass below, and cornfields over, + In the midst between the village. + Fair the shore below the village, + By the shore is gleaming water, 380 + Where the ducks delight in swimming, + And the water-fowl are sporting." + Drink they gave the bridal party, + Food and drink they gave in plenty, + Meat provided in abundance, + Loaves provided of the finest, + And they gave them ale of barley, + Spicy drink, from wheat concocted. + Roast they gave them in abundance, + Food and drink in all abundance, 390 + In the dishes red they brought it, + In the handsomest of dishes. + Cakes were there, in pieces broken, + Likewise there were lumps of butter, + Powans too, to be divided, + Salmon too, to cut to pieces, + With the knives composed of silver, + And with smaller knives all golden. + + Ale unpurchased there was flowing, + Mead for which you could not bargain; 400 + Ale flowed from the ends of rafters, + Honey from the taps was oozing, + Ale around the lips was foaming, + Mead the mood of all enlivened. + + Who among them should be cuckoo, + Who should sing a strain most fitting? + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + He the great primeval minstrel, + He himself commenced his singings, + Set about composing verses, 410 + And he spoke the words which follow, + And expressed himself in thiswise: + "O my own beloved brethren, + O most eloquent companions, + O my comrades, ready talkers, + Listen now to what I tell you, + Rarely kiss the geese each other, + Rarely sisters gaze on sisters, + Rarely side by side stand brothers, + Side by side stand mother's children, 420 + In these desert lands so barren, + In the wretched northern regions. + + "Shall we give ourselves to singing, + Set about composing verses? + None can sing except the singer, + None can call save vernal cuckoo, + None can paint, except Sinetar, + None can weave save Kankahatar. + + "Lapland's children, they are singing, + And the hay-shod ones are chanting, 430 + As the elk's rare flesh they feast on, + Or the meat of smaller reindeer, + Wherefore then should I not carol, + Wherefore should our children sing not, + While upon the ryebread feasting, + Or when eating is concluded? + + "Lapland's children, they are singing, + And the hay-shod ones are chanting, + As they drink from water-pitchers, + While they chew the bark of fir-tree. 440 + Wherefore then should I not carol, + Wherefore should our children sing not, + While the juice of corn we're drinking, + And the best-brewed ale of barley? + + "Lapland's children they are singing, + And the hay-shod ones are chanting, + Even by the sooty fire, + As they lay the coals upon it. + Wherefore then should I not carol, + Wherefore should our children sing not, 450 + Underneath these famous rafters, + Underneath a roof so splendid? + + "Good it is for men to dwell here, + Good for women to reside here, + All among the barrels ale-filled, + Standing close beside the mead-tubs, + Near the sound where swarm the powans, + Near the place for netting salmon, + Where the food is never failing, + And the drink is never stinted. 460 + + "Good it is for men to dwell here, + Good for women to reside here, + Here to eat by care untroubled, + Here to live without affliction, + Here to eat unvexed by trouble, + And to live without a sorrow, + Long as lives our host among us, + All the lifetime of our hostess. + + "Which shall I first praise in singing, + Shall it be the host or hostess? 470 + Always first they praise the heroes, + Therefore first I praise the Master, + He who first prepared the marshland, + And along the shore who wandered, + And he brought great stumps of fir-trees, + And he trimmed the crowns of fir-trees, + Took them to a good position, + Firmly built them all together, + For his race a great house builded, + And he built a splendid homestead, 480 + Walls constructed from the forest, + Rafters from the fearful mountains, + Laths from out the woods provided, + Boards from berry-bearing heathlands, + Bark from cherry-bearing uplands, + Moss from off the quaking marshes. + + "And the house is well-constructed, + And the roof securely fastened. + Here a hundred men were gathered, + On the house-roof stood a thousand, 490 + When this house was first constructed, + And the flooring duly fitted. + + "Be assured our host so worthy, + In the building of this homestead, + Oft his hair exposed to tempest, + And his hair was much disordered. + Often has our host so noble, + On the rocks his gloves left lying, + Lost his hat among the fir-trees, + In the marsh has sunk his stockings. 500 + + "Often has our host so noble + In the early morning hours, + When no others had arisen, + And unheard by all the village, + Left the cheerful fire behind him, + Watched for birds in wattled wigwam, + And the thorns his head were combing, + Dew his handsome eyes was washing. + + "Thus receives our host so noble, + In his home his friends around him; 510 + Filled the benches are with singers, + And with joyous guests the windows, + And the floor with talking people, + Porches, too, with people shouting, + Near the walls with people standing, + Near the fence with people walking, + Through the yard are folks parading, + Children on the ground are creeping. + + "Now I first have praised the master, + I will praise our gracious hostess, 520 + She who has prepared the banquet, + And has filled the table for us. + + "Large the loaves that she has baked us, + And she stirred us up thick porridge, + With her hands that move so quickly, + With her soft and tenfold fingers, + And she let the bread rise slowly, + And the guests with speed she feasted; + Pork she gave them in abundance, + Gave them cakes piled up in dishes, 530 + And the knives were duly sharpened, + And the pointed blades pressed downward, + As the salmon were divided, + And the pike were split asunder. + + "Often has our noble mistress, + She the most accomplished housewife, + Risen up before the cockcrow, + And before the hen's son hastened, + That she might prepare the needful, + That the work might all be finished, 540 + That the beer might be concocted, + And the ale be ready for us. + + "Well indeed our noble hostess, + And this most accomplished housewife, + Best of ale for us concocted, + And the finest drink set flowing. + 'Tis composed of malted barley, + And of malt the very sweetest, + And with wood she has not turned it, + With a stake she has not moved it, 550 + Only with her hands has raised it, + Only with her arms has turned it, + In the bathroom filled with vapour, + On the boarding, scoured so cleanly. + + "Nor did she, our noble hostess, + And this most accomplished mistress, + Let the germs mature them fully, + While on ground the malt was lying. + Oft she went into the bathroom, + Went alone, at dead of midnight, 560 + Fearing not the wolf should harm her, + Nor the wild beasts of the forest. + + "Now that we have praised the hostess, + Let us also praise the inviter; + Who was chosen as inviter, + And upon the road to guide us? + Best inviter of the village, + Best of guides in all the village. + + "There we look on our inviter, + Clad in coat from foreign countries; 570 + Round his arms 'tis tightly fitted, + Neatly round his waist 'tis fitted. + + "There we look on our inviter, + In a narrow cloak attired; + On the sand the skirts are sweeping, + On the ground the train is sweeping. + Of his shirt we see a little, + Only see a very little, + As if Kuutar's self had wove it, + And the tin-adorned one wrought it. 580 + + "Here we look on our inviter, + Belted with a belt of woollen, + Woven by the Sun's fair daughter, + By her beauteous fingers broidered, + In the times ere fire existed, + And when all unknown was fire. + + "Here we look on our inviter, + With his feet in silken stockings, + And with silk are bound his stockings, + And his garters are of satin, 590 + And with gold are all embroidered. + And are all adorned with silver. + + "Here we look on our inviter, + Best of Saxon shoes he's wearing, + Like the swans upon the river, + Or the ducks that swim beside them, + Or the geese among the thickets, + Birds of passage in the forests. + + "Here we look on our inviter, + With his golden locks all curling, 600 + And his golden beard is plaited, + On his head a lofty helmet: + Up among the clouds it rises, + Through the forest's glancing summit; + Such a one you could not purchase + For a hundred marks or thousand. + + "Now that I have praised the inviter, + I will also praise the bridesmaid. + Whence has come to us the bridesmaid, + Whence was she, the happiest, chosen? 610 + + "Thence has come to us the bridesmaid, + Thence was she, the happiest, chosen, + Where is Tanikka's strong fortress, + From without the new-built castle. + + "No, she came from other regions, + Not at all from such a region; + Thence has come to us the bridesmaid, + Thence was she, the happiest, chosen, + Brought to us across the water, + And across the open ocean. 620 + + "No, she came from other regions, + Not at all from such a region, + Grew like strawberry in the country, + On the heaths where cranberries flourish, + On the field of beauteous herbage, + On the heath of golden flowerets, + Thence has come to us the bridesmaid, + Thence was she, the happiest, chosen. + + "And the bridesmaid's mouth is pretty, + As the spindle used in Suomi, 630 + And the bridesmaid's eyes are sparkling, + As the stars that shine in heaven, + Gleaming are the damsel's temples, + As upon the lake the moonlight. + + "Here we look upon our bridesmaid; + Round her neck a chain all golden, + On her head a golden head-dress, + On her hands are golden bracelets, + Golden rings upon her fingers, + In her ears are golden earrings, 640 + Loops of gold upon her temples, + And her brows are bead-adorned. + + "And I thought the moon was shining, + When her golden clasp was gleaming, + And I thought the sun was shining, + When I saw her collar gleaming, + And I thought a ship was sailing, + When I saw her head-dress moving. + + "Now that I have praised the bridesmaid, + I will glance at all the people; 650 + Very handsome are the people, + Stately are the aged people, + And the younger people pretty, + And the householders are handsome. + + "I have gazed at all the people, + And I knew them all already; + But before it never happened, + Nor in future times will happen, + That we meet so fine a household, + Or we meet such handsome people, 660 + Where the old folks are so stately, + And the younger people pretty. + Clothed in white are all the people, + Like the forest in the hoarfrost, + Under like the golden dawning: + Over like the morning twilight. + + "Easy to obtain was silver, + Gold among the guests was scattered, + In the grass were littered purses, + In the lanes were bags of money, 670 + For the guests who were invited, + For the guests most greatly honoured." + + Vainamoinen, old and steadfast, + Of the song the mighty pillar, + After this his sledge ascended, + Homeward drove upon his journey, + And he sang his songs for ever, + Sang, and chanted spells of magic, + Sang a song, and sang a second, + But, as he the third was singing, 680 + Clashed against a rock the runners, + Crashed the shafts against a tree-stump, + And the sledge broke off his chanting, + And the runners stopped his singing, + And the shafts in fragments shattered, + And the boards broke all asunder. + + Spoke the aged Vainamoinen, + In the very words which follow, + "Are there none among the youthful, + Of the rising generation, 690 + Or perchance among the aged, + Of the sinking generation, + Who to Tuonela can wander, + And can go to Mana's country, + Thence to fetch me Tuoni's auger, + Bring me Mana's mighty auger, + That a new sledge I may fashion, + Or repair my sledge that's broken?" + + But said all the younger people, + And the aged people answered: 700 + "There are none among the youthful, + None at all among the aged, + None of race so highly noble, + None is such a mighty hero, + As to Tuonela to travel, + Journey to the land of Mana, + Thence to bring you Tuoni's auger, + And from Mana's home to bring it, + That a new sledge you may fashion, + Or repair the sledge that's broken." 710 + + Then the aged Vainamoinen, + He the great primeval minstrel, + Went again to Tuoni's country, + Journeyed to the home of Mana, + Fetched from Tuonela the auger, + Brought from Mana's home the auger. + + Then the aged Vainamoinen + Sang a blue wood up before him, + In the forest rose an oak-tree, + And a splendid mountain-ashtree, 720 + And from these a sledge he fashioned, + And he shaped his runners from them, + And for shafts prepared them likewise, + And the frame he thus constructed, + Made a sledge to suit his purpose, + And a new sledge he constructed. + In the shafts the horse he harnessed, + Yoked before the sledge the chestnut, + In the sledge himself he seated, + And upon the seat he sat him, 730 + And without the whip the courser, + Sped, by beaded whip unharassed, + To his long-accustomed fodder, + To the food that waited for him, + And he brought old Vainamoinen, + He the great primeval minstrel, + To his own door, widely open, + To the threshold brought him safely. + + + + +NOTES TO RUNOS I-XXV + +(These are by the translator, when not otherwise stated. K. K. +indicates Prof. Kaarle Krohn, and A. M. Madame Aino Malmberg, +For proper names, refer to the Glossary at the end of Vol. II.) + + +RUNO I + +11. Kulta, "golden," here rendered "dearest," is a term constantly +applied in the _Kalevala_ to anything dear or precious. + +20. "Pohja, the North, or Pohjola, the North Land, is chiefly used +for the dark North, where the sun is hidden. Poetically used for a +homestead in the _Kalevala_. Occasionally it is used as synonymous +with Lapland." (K. K.) + +21. When singing to the accompaniment of a harp, two Finns clasp their +hands together, and sway backwards and forwards, in the manner described +in the text. Compare Acerbi's _Travels to the North Cape_, I., +chaps. xx. and xxiii., and the illustration opposite his Vol. I., p. +226. + +61. Probably the honey of humble-bees (_Bombus_) is here meant, or +the expression may be merely figurative. + +63, 64. The metre allows the translation of the names of the cows to +be inserted here. + +110. Ilmatar, the Daughter of the Air; --tar is the usual feminine +suffix in Finnish, and is generally to be understood to mean "daughter +of ----." In the following passages we have the combined Finnish version +of the widespread cosmogonical myths of the Divine Spirit brooding +over the waters of Chaos; and the Mundane Egg. In the First Recension +of the _Kalevala_ however, and in many Finnish ballads, an eagle is +said to have built her nest on the knees of Vainamoinen after he was +thrown into the sea by the Laplander, and the Creation-Myth is thus +transferred to him. + +229-244. In the Scandinavian Mythology the world was created in +a similar manner by Othin and his brothers from the body of the giant +Ymir. + +289. Vaka vanha Vainamoinen--these are the usual epithets applied +to Vainamoinen in the Kalevala. "Vanha" means old; "vaka" is +variously interpreted: I have used "steadfast" by Prof. Krohn's +advice, though I think "lusty" might be a better rendering. + +320. The ring-finger is usually called the "nameless finger" in +Finnish. + + +RUNO II + +27. The Bird Cherry (_Prunus Padus_). + +29. The Mountain Ash, or Rowan Tree, is a sacred tree in Finland, +as in Scotland. + +83. The Great Oak-tree is a favourite subject in Finnish and Esthonian +ballads. + +117. Finnish, and Esthonian water-heroes are sometimes described as +entirely composed of copper. + +211. Compare the account of the breaking up of the Sampo, and the +dispersal of its fragments, in Runo XLIII. + +245. The summer ermine is the stoat, which turns white in winter in +the North, when it becomes the ermine. The squirrel also turns grey +in the North in winter. + +376. The cuckoo is regarded as a bird of good omen. + + +RUNO III + +15. We here find Vainamoinen, the primeval minstrel and culture-hero, +the first-born of mortals, living in an already populated world. +There seems to be a similar discrepancy in Gen. IV. 14-17 + +35. Women were held in great respect in heroic times in most +Northern countries. + +58. "I will bewitch him who tries to bewitch me." (K. K.) + +72. A gold-adorned, or perhaps merely handsome, sledge. + +154. Probably another epithet for the seal. + +156. The powan, or fresh-water herring (_Coregonus_), of which there +are several marine and fresh-water species. They are chiefly lake-fish +of the Northern Hemisphere, and in the British Islands are better +known in Scotland and Ireland, and in the North of England, than in +the South. + +168. The word used here may also mean the elk or ox. + +230. The Arch of Heaven in the _Kalevala_ means the rainbow. + +231, 232. The Sun and Moon are male deities in Finnish, with sons +and daughters. + +233. The constellation of the Great Bear. + +273. Most of the heroes of the _Kalevala_, except Kullervo, have +black hair, and the heroines, except the wife of Ilmarinen, golden +hair. + +411, 412. A common ransom in Finnish and Esthonian stories. + +459. The episode of Aino is a great favourite in Finland, and the +name is in common use. The story often furnishes material to poets, +sculptors, etc. + +533. Different stories are told of the origin of both Vainamoinen and +Ilmarinen, and they are often called brothers. + + +RUNO IV + +4. Bath-whisks are used to heighten the circulation after bathing. +"The leaves are left on the stems. The bath-whisks for the winter +are all made early in the summer, when the leaves are softest. Of +course they become quite dry, but before using, they are steeped in hot +water till they become soft and fragrant." (A. M.) + +75. "The storehouses where the peasant girls keep their clothes and +ornaments are sometimes very pretty, and the girls always sleep there +in summer. There are other storehouses for food." (A. M.) + +121. According to Speke, Central African women are compelled to +drink large quantities of milk, to make them inordinately fat, which is +considered a great beauty. + +206. _Fuligala glacialis._ + +295. Prof. Krohn thinks the sea and not a lake is here intended. + +308. This passage is hardly intelligible. "I have heard some people +suggest that Aino perhaps took a birch branch, to be used as a +bath-whisk." (A. M.) + +377. There are many popular tales in Finnish relating to animals, +especially the bear, wolf, and fox, but this is the only illustration of +the true "beast-epos" in the _Kalevala_. + +413. "The sauna, or bath-house, is always a separate building; and +there Finnish people take extremely hot baths almost every evening." +(A. M.) It is also used for confinements. + + +RUNO V + +220. Here a human mother, rather than Ilmatar, seems to be +ascribed to Vainamoinen. Visits to parents' graves for advice and +assistance are common in Scandinavian and Esthonian literature. +Commentators have also quoted the story of Achilles and Thetis, but +this is hardly a parallel case. + + +RUNO VI + +120. This passage is again inconsistent with the legend of Vainamoinen +being the son of Ilmatar. + + +RUNO VII + +19. The word used here is "poika," which literally means a boy, or +a son. + +51, 52. The original admirably expresses the hovering motion of the +bird: + + Lenteleikse, liiteleikse, + Katseleikse, kaanteleikse. + +142. In the original "the song of a cock's child." + +177, 178. Weeping appears no more disgraceful to the heroes of the +_Kalevala_ than to those of the _Iliad_. Still, Vainamoinen +not unfrequently plays a very undignified part when in difficulties. + +241. Louhi recognized him, though he would not mention his name. + +286. "Virsu is a shoe made of birch bark." (A. M.) + +311. It appears that the magic mill called a Sampo could only be +forged by a competent smith, from materials which Louhi alone possessed, +and which, perhaps, she could not again procure. Otherwise +Ilmarinen could have forged another for himself, and it would have +been unnecessary for the heroes to steal it. The chain forged by the +dwarfs, according to the Prose Edda, for binding the wolf Fenrir, was +also composed of materials which could not again be procured. "It +was fashioned out of six things; to wit, the noise made by the footfall +of a cat, the beards of women, the roots of stones, the sinews of +bears, the breath of fish, and the spittle of birds." + + +RUNO VIII + +3, 4. The daughter of Louhi is never mentioned again in connection +with the rainbow; and it is quite incorrect to call her the Maiden of +the Rainbow, as some writers have done, for no such title is ever +applied to her in the poem. + +35. There are so many instances of maidens being carried off, or +enticed into sledges, in the _Kalevala_, that it seems almost to have +been a recognized legal form of marriage by capture. + +57. Finnish magicians profess to understand the language of birds; +but the passage in the text is probably intended only in jest. + +152. In the Icelandic saga of Grettir, the hero mortally wounds +himself in the leg while trying to chop up a piece of driftwood on which +a witch had laid her curse. + +179. The Finns supposed that if the origin of any hostile agent was +known, and could be recited to it, its power for evil was at an end. In +Denmark, the naming of any person or thing was an evil omen, and +liable to bring about its destruction. + +217, 218. Finnish hamlets are sometimes built on a hillside in the +manner described. + + +RUNO IX + +35, 36. Here we seem to have an allusion to the first chapter of +Genesis. + +44. The same epithet, Luonnotar, is sometimes applied to Ilmatar, +and thus Vainamoinen might literally be called the brother of Iron. + +111, 112. Pallas Athene sprang armed from the brain of Zeus; +Karna, in India, the son of the Sun, was born with armour and earrings; +and Mexitli in Mexico was born with a spear in his hand. + +231. Hornets often build their nests under the eaves of houses. + +242. Both frogs and toads exude a more or less poisonous secretion +from the skin. + +433. Honeydew seems to be meant here. + +525, 526. An imaginary mountain to which the sorcerers professed +to be able to banish pain and sickness. + + +RUNO X + +306. Compare the account of the forging of the Gold and Silver +Bride in Runo XXXVII. + +311. "Ilmarinen first employs ordinary servants, and then calls the +winds to his assistance." (K. K.) + +331. In the Icelandic sagas, we read of the sword Tyrfing, forged by +dwarfs, which, if ever drawn, could not again be sheathed till it had +slain at least one victim. + +332. Literally, "on best days." + +414. In the story of Ala Ed-Deen Abush-Shamat, in the _1001 Nights_, +we read of a magic bead with five facets, on which were engraved a +camel, an armed horseman, a pavilion; a couch, etc., according to the +use intended to be made of each facet. + + +RUNO XI + +31-42. Salme and Linda are similarly wooed by the Sun, the +Moon, and a Star in the Esthonian poem, Kalevipoeg (see Kirby's _Hero +of Esthonia_ I., pp. 10-15). + +264-266. These names mean respectively Blackies, Strawberries, +Cranberries. "I think Lemminkainen means that he has no cows, +and only calls these different berries his cows." (A. M.) + +306. Lemminkainen appears to have been afraid that some one else +might carry off his wife, if she showed herself in public (especially +Untamo, says Prof. Krohn). + +385. The Snow Bunting (_Plectrophanes nivalis_), a white bird more +or less varied with black. + + +RUNO XII + +25. The meaning is a little uncertain. Literally, "the only boy," +as Madame Malmberg suggests. The commentary renders it, "the +gallant youth." + +93. The Finns and Lapps often hide money in the ground. +The word used in l. 94 is "penningin," from "penni," a word +common to most Teutonic and Northern languages. + +211, 212. Such omens of death are common in fairy tales; as, for +instance, the bleeding knives in the story of the Envious Sisters in the +_1001 Nights_. The bleeding trees in mediaeval romance belong to +rather a different category of ideas. + +233. Lemminkainen seems to have hidden himself to escape further +remonstrances from his mother and Kyllikki. + +262. Probably a creature like a kelpie or Phooka. + +474. We are not told how Louhi escaped; but she seems to have +come to no harm. + + +RUNO XIII + +105. The part played by Hiisi in the _Kalevala_ usually resembles +that played by Loki in the Scandinavian Mythology. + +109. Animals, etc., are often thus constructed in Finnish, Esthonian, +and Siberian mythology by gods, demons, and magicians. They do not +seem able to create from nothing, but to manufacture what they please +or what they can from pre-existing materials, however incongruous. + +111. I suppose rushes are here intended. + + +RUNO XIV + +33. The word here translated "islands" properly means a wooded +hill surrounded by marshland. + +47, 48. Mielikki's gold and silver are the spoils of the chase. + +69. Honey is sometimes used in the _Kalevala_ for anything sweet and +agreeable, just as golden is used for anything beautiful. + +103, 104. It appears that the hunter's fortune in the chase was +foretold by the rich or shabby garments worn by the forest-deities. + +142. Finnish women often wear a blouse over their other garments. + +216. Kuningas (king) is a Teutonic word, which rarely occurs in the +_Kalevala_. The heroes are patriarchs, or chiefs of clans; not +kings, as in Homer. + +248. There is often much confusion of terms in the _Kalevala_. The +creature here mentioned is generally called an elk, but often a reindeer, +and in this line a camel-foal. + +304. When the inferior deities are deaf or too weak, the heroes appeal +to the higher Gods. + +305. The reference here seems to be to Gen. vii. 11. "The whole +passage is of Christian origin." (K. K.) + + +RUNO XV + +7. Compare Homer, _Iliad_, III., 311-314. + +240. This episode slightly resembles the story of Isis and Osiris. + +498. The constellation of Orion is variously called by the Finns, the +Moonshine, the Sword of Kaleva, and the Scythe of Vainamoinen. + +559-562. This conceit is common in fairy tales (especially in Russian +ones) in the case of heroes wakened from the dead. Sometimes it takes +a comic form; and sometimes, as in the present case, a pathetic one. + +617. "Dirty-nosed" is a common opprobrious expression in Esthonia. + + +RUNO XVI + +27. The account of the boat-building in "Hiawatha's Sailing" is +evidently imitated from this passage. + +128. In Roman times divination from birds was chiefly taken from +their flight or feeding. + + +RUNO XVII + +20. Roads of this description are thoroughly Oriental in character. + +86. In Icelandic sagas we often find heroes roused from their graves, +but this is usually attempted in order to obtain a sword which has been +buried with them. + +93-104. Hiawatha was also swallowed by the sturgeon Nahma, +but the circumstances were quite different. + +211. Note the resonance of the line: + + Kuusista kuhisevista. + +237. Ahava, a dry cold wind that blows in March and April, +probably corresponding to our cold spring east wind. + +285, 286. Vipunen here refers to himself as a little man, which I +presume is to be understood figuratively, as I have rendered it. + + +RUNO XVIII + +379. Compare Cuchullain's wooing of Eimer in Irish story. + + +RUNO XIX + +33. This episode is very like the story of Jason and Medea. + +210. "The wolf Fenrir opens his enormous mouth; the lower jaw +reaches to the earth, and the upper one to heaven, and would in fact +reach still further were there space to admit of it." (Prose Edda.) + +217. Vetehinen, a water-spirit. + +311. "Ukko's bow" here means the rainbow, broken by the fiery +eagle. It may be worth noting that in the Scandinavian Mythology, the +sons of Fire (Muspell) are to ride over the rainbow, and break it to +pieces, on their way to battle with the gods. + +483. In the Danish Ballads there are several stories of children +speaking in their cradles, but generally to vow vengeance against an +enemy. + + +RUNO XX + +17. The Great Ox is a stock subject in Finnish and Esthonian ballad +literature. + + +RUNO XXI + +161. The Glutton or wolverine, a well-known animal in sub-Arctic +Europe, Asia, and America. + +182-186. These civilities sound very Oriental. + +393. This curious passage may have been partly suggested by the +"coats of skin," and "the land flowing with milk and honey" of the +Old Testament. + + +RUNO XXII + +76. The word used here for father Is taatto, which curiously recalls +the Welsh tad. (English, dad.) + +194. In the Scandinavian Mythology the giantess Skadi was required +to choose a husband from among the gods by looking at their feet only. + + +RUNO XXIII + +330. The usual word to express a long time is viikko, a week. + +469, 470. These infernal damsels play various parts in the _Kalevala_, +as boat-women, death-bringers, etc., and here we find them in the +character of Furies. + +487. The term "snowy month" is used for the period between Feb. +20 and March 20. I have rendered it March. + +787-792. Perhaps this is only figurative, as in the case of the +unpropitious forest-deities. + + +RUNO XXIV + +119. The roots of the marsh arum (_Calla palustris_), not a British +plant, though naturalized in a pond at Ripley. The most usual substitute +for more wholesome food in times of famine is bread composed of a +mixture of fir-bark and rye. + +240. Slav peasant women are said sometimes to regard beating as a sign +of affection on the part of their husbands, but this does not seem to be +the case with the Finns. In the _Kalevala_ we read a good deal +about wife-beating in theory, but find very little of it in practice; +and even the licentious and violent Lemminkainen never thinks of beating +his wife when he quarrels with her. + +279-296. A similar story is told to the Princess by her confidante +Olga, in the Russian opera _Rusalka_ (water-nymph), Act III. scene i. + + "And now I'd better sing a little song: + As they passed in our street, + A man besought his wife, + 'Why don't you look pleasant? + You are my delight, + Darling Mashenka.' + + "But the woman was obstinate, + And averted her little head; + 'Oh, I don't want your caresses, + Nor your pretty speeches; + I'm not very well, + And I've got a headache.' + + "But under a birch tree + The man taught his wife; + 'Wait a bit, my darling, + I'll beat that tune out of you. + In my own way.' + + "Then the woman was sorry, + Bowed low as the waistband. + 'Don't frighten yourself, dearest, + And do not be troubled, + I find myself better, + My headache has gone.'" + +446, 450, 454. The commentary explains the word used here to +mean "wander round thee," an alteration which I consider unnecessary +except in the last line. + +467. From the sarcastic tone of this speech, Ilmarinen seems to have +been quite tired and disgusted with all the fuss, in which most of our +readers will probably sympathize with him. + + +RUNO XXV + +47. According to popular usage, a son is ennobled by being called a +brother. + +97. In some of the legends of Sigurd and Brynhilda, Brynhilda is +represented as lying asleep in a tower of glass, encompassed by a circle of +fire, through which Sigurd had to ride to wake her. In this story she +is the prototype of the Sleeping Beauty. + +157. We often read in Russian folk-tales of revolving huts supported +on fowls' legs. + +159. The favourite weapon of the Icelander Skarphedin, the son of +Njal, was a bell which rang out shortly before any person was to be +killed by it. + +169. In the dales of Yorkshire it used to be considered very inhospitable +not to leave the door open at mealtimes. + +289, 290. Saxony and Viro are Germany and Esthonia. + +564. Apparently a sort of master of the ceremonies at Finnish +weddings, corresponding to the Russian svat, or matchmaker. + +596. The scoter duck, (_Oidemia nigra_). + +642. Brows; literally, eyelashes. + +646. Her shift-collar. + +665, 666. The beautiful Esthonian story of the Dawn, the Moon, and +the Morning and Evening Twilight will be found in Jones and Kropf's +_Folk-Tales of the Magyars_, pp. 326-328, and in Kirby's _Hero of +Esthonia_, II., pp. 30-34. + + +END OF VOL. 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