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diff --git a/5185.txt b/5185.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac5664c --- /dev/null +++ b/5185.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11421 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Kalevala: the Epic Poem of Finland -- +Volume 02, by Elias Lönnrot + +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: the Epic Poem of Finland -- Volume 02 + +Author: Elias Lönnrot + +Translator: John Martin Crawford + +Posting Date: September 20, 2010 [EBook #5185] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: May 31, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KALEVALA: EPIC POEM OF FINLAND *** + + + + +Produced by John B. Hare and Carrie R. Lorenz. + + + + + + + + + +THE KALEVALA + +THE + +EPIC POEM OF FINLAND + +INTO ENGLISH + +BY + +JOHN MARTIN CRAWFORD + +[1888] + +BOOK II + + + + +CONTENTS + + + RUNE XXV. Wainamoinen's Wedding-songs + RUNE XXVI. Origin of the Serpent + RUNE XXVII. The Unwelcome Guest + RUNE XXVIII. The Mother's Counsel + RUNE XXIX. The Isle of Refuge + RUNE XXX. The Frost-fiend + RUNE XXXI. Kullerwoinen, Son of Evil + RUNE XXXII. Kullervo as a Shepherd + RUNE XXXIII. Kullervo and the Cheat-cake + RUNE XXXIV. Kullervo finds his Tribe-folk + RUNE XXXV. Kullervo's Evil Deeds + RUNE XXXVI. Kullerwoinen's Victory and Death + RUNE XXXVII Ilmarinen's Bride of Gold + RUNE XXXVIII. Ilmarinen's Fruitless Wooing + RUNE XXXIX. Wainamoinen's Sailing + RUNE XL. Birth of the Harp + RUNE XLI. Wainamoinen's Harp-songs + RUNE XLII. Capture of the Sampo + RUNE XLIII. The Sampo lost in the Sea + RUNE XLIV. Birth of the Second Harp + RUNE XLV. Birth of the Nine Diseases + RUNE XLVI. Otso the Honey-eater + RUNE XLVII. Louhi steals Sun, Moon, and Fire + RUNE XLVIII. Capture of the Fire-fish + RUNE XLIX. Restoration of the Sun and Moon + RUNE L. Mariatta--Wainamoinen's Departure + + EPILOGUE + + + + +THE KALEVALA. + + + +RUNE XXV. + + + WAINAMOINEN'S WEDDING-SONGS. + + + At the home of Ilmarinen + Long had they been watching, waiting, + For the coming of the blacksmith, + With his bride from Sariola. + Weary were the eyes of watchers, + Waiting from the father's portals, + Looking from the mother's windows; + Weary were the young knees standing + At the gates of the magician; + Weary grew the feet of children, + Tramping to the walls and watching; + Worn and torn, the shoes of heroes, + Running on the shore to meet him. + Now at last upon a morning + Of a lovely day in winter, + Heard they from the woods the rumble + Of a snow-sledge swiftly bounding. + Lakko, hostess of Wainola, + She the lovely Kalew-daughter, + Spake these words in great excitement: + "'Tis the sledge of the magician, + Comes at last the metal-worker + From the dismal Sariola, + By his side the Bride of Beauty! + Welcome, welcome, to this hamlet, + Welcome to thy mother's hearth-stone, + To the dwelling of thy father, + By thine ancestors erected!" + Straightway came great Ilmarinen + To his cottage drove the blacksmith, + To the fireside of his father, + To his mother's ancient dwelling. + Hazel-birds were sweetly singing + On the newly-bended collar; + Sweetly called the sacred cuckoos + From the summit of the break-board; + Merry, jumped the graceful squirrel + On the oaken shafts and cross-bar. + Lakko, Kalew's fairest hostess, + Beauteous daughter of Wainola, + Spake these words of hearty welcome: + "For the new moon hopes the village, + For the sun, the happy maidens, + For the boat, the swelling water; + I have not the moon expected, + For the sun have not been waiting, + I have waited for my hero, + Waited for the Bride of Beauty; + Watched at morning, watched at evening, + Did not know but some misfortune, + Some sad fate had overtaken + Bride and bridegroom on their journey; + Thought the maiden growing weary, + Weary of my son's attentions, + Since he faithfully had promised + To return to Kalevala, + Ere his foot-prints had departed + From the snow-fields of his father. + Every morn I looked and listened, + Constantly I thought and wondered + When his sledge would rumble homeward, + When it would return triumphant + To his home, renowned and ancient. + Had a blind and beggared straw-horse + Hobbled to these shores awaiting, + With a sledge of but two pieces, + Well the steed would have been lauded, + Had it brought my son beloved, + Had it brought the Bride of Beauty. + Thus I waited long, impatient, + Looking out from morn till even, + Watching with my head extended, + With my tresses streaming southward, + With my eyelids widely opened, + Waiting for my son's returning + To this modest home of heroes, + To this narrow place of resting. + Finally am I rewarded, + For the sledge has come triumphant, + Bringing home my son and hero, + By his side the Rainbow maiden, + Red her cheeks, her visage winsome, + Pride and joy of Sariola. + "Wizard-bridegroom of Wainola, + Take thy-courser to the stable, + Lead him to the well-filled manger, + To the best of grain and clover; + Give to us thy friendly greetings, + Greetings send to all thy people. + When thy greetings thou hast ended, + Then relate what has befallen + To our hero in his absence. + Hast thou gone without adventure + To the dark fields of Pohyola, + Searching for the Maid of Beauty? + Didst thou scale the hostile ramparts, + Didst thou take the virgin's mansion, + Passing o'er her mother's threshold, + Visiting the halls of Louhi? + "But I know without the asking, + See the answer to my question: + Comest from the North a victor, + On thy journey well contented; + Thou hast brought the Northland daughter, + Thou hast razed the hostile portals, + Thou hast stormed the forts of Louhi, + Stormed the mighty walls opposing, + On thy journey to Pohyola, + To the village of the father. + In thy care the bride is sitting, + In thine arms, the Rainbow-maiden, + At thy side, the pride of Northland, + Mated to the highly-gifted. + Who has told the cruel story, + Who the worst of news has scattered, + That thy suit was unsuccessful, + That in vain thy steed had journeyed? + Not in vain has been thy wooing, + Not in vain thy steed has travelled + To the dismal homes of Lapland; + He has journeyed heavy laden, + Shaken mane, and tail, and forelock, + Dripping foam from lips and nostrils, + Through the bringing of the maiden, + With the burden of the husband. + "Come, thou beauty, from the snow-sledge, + Come, descend thou from the cross-bench, + Do not linger for assistance, + Do not tarry to be carried; + If too young the one that lifts thee, + If too proud the one in waiting, + Rise thou, graceful, like a young bird, + Hither glide along the pathway, + On the tan-bark scarlet- colored, + That the herds of kine have evened, + That the gentle lambs have trodden, + Smoothened by the tails of horses. + Haste thou here with gentle footsteps, + Through the pathway smooth and tidy, + On the tiles of even surface, + On thy second father's court-yard, + To thy second mother's dwelling, + To thy brother's place of resting, + To thy sister's silent chambers. + Place thy foot within these portals, + Step across this waiting threshold, + Enter thou these halls of joyance, + Underneath these painted rafters, + Underneath this roof of ages. + During all the winter evenings, + Through the summer gone forever, + Sang the tiling made of ivory, + Wishing thou wouldst walk upon it; + Often sang the golden ceiling, + Hoping thou wouldst walk beneath it, + And the windows often whistled, + Asking thee to sit beside them; + Even on this merry morning, + Even on the recent evening, + Sat the aged at their windows, + On the sea-shore ran the children, + Near the walls the maidens waited, + Ran the boys upon the highway, + There to watch the young bride's coming, + Coming with her hero-husband. + "Hail, ye courtiers of Wainola, + With the heroes of the fathers, + Hail to thee, Wainola's hamlet, + Hail, ye halls with heroes peopled, + Hail, ye rooms with all your inmates, + Hail to thee, sweet golden moonlight, + Hail to thee, benignant Ukko, + Hail companions of the bridegroom! + Never has there been in Northland + Such a wedding-train of honor, + Never such a bride of beauty. + "Bridegroom, thou beloved hero, + Now untie the scarlet ribbons, + And remove the silken muffler, + Let us see the honey-maiden, + See the Daughter of the Rainbow. + Seven years hast thou been wooing, + Hast thou brought the maid affianced, + Wainamoinen's Wedding-Songs. + Hast thou sought a sweeter cuckoo, + Sought one fairer than the moonlight, + Sought a mermaid from the ocean? + But I know without the asking, + See the answer to my question: + Thou hast brought the sweet-voiced cuckoo, + Thou hast found the swan of beauty + Plucked the sweetest flower of Northland, + Culled the fairest of the jewels, + Gathered Pohya's sweetest berry!" + Sat a babe upon the matting, + And the young child spake as follows: + "Brother, what is this thou bringest, + Aspen-log or trunk of willow, + Slender as the mountain-linden? + Bridegroom, well dost thou remember, + Thou hast hoped it all thy life-time, + Hoped to bring the Maid of Beauty, + Thou a thousand times hast said it, + Better far than any other, + Not one like the croaking raven, + Nor the magpie from the border, + Nor the scarecrow from the corn-fields, + Nor the vulture from the desert. + What has this one done of credit, + In the summer that has ended? + Where the gloves that she has knitted, + Where the mittens she has woven? + Thou hast brought her empty-handed, + Not a gift she brings thy father; + In thy chests the nice are nesting, + Long-tails feeding on thy vestments, + And thy bride, cannot repair them." + Lakko hostess of Wainola, + She the faithful Kalew-daughter, + Hears the young child's speech in wonder, + Speaks these words of disapproval: + Silly prattler, cease thy talking, + Thou Last spoken in dishonor; + Let all others be astonished, + Reap thy malice on thy kindred, + must not harm the Bride of Beauty, + Rainbow-daughter of the Northland. + False indeed is this thy Prattle, + All thy words are full or evil, + Fallen from thy tongue of mischief + From the lips of one unworthy. + Excellent the hero's young bride, + Best of all in Sariola, + Like the strawberry in summer, + Like the daisy from the meadow, + Like the cuckoo from the forest, + Like the bluebird from the aspen, + Like the redbreast from the heather, + Like the martin from the linden; + Never couldst thou find in Ehstland + Such a virgin as this daughter, + Such a graceful beauteous maiden, + With such dignity of Carriage, + With such arms of pearly whiteness, + With a neck so fair and lovely. + Neither is she empty-handed, + She has brought us furs abundant, + Brought us many silken garments, + Richest weavings of Pohyola. + Many beauteous things the maiden, + With the spindle has accomplished, + Spun and woven with her fingers + Dresses of the finest texture + She in winter has upfolded, + Bleached them in the days of spring-time, + Dried them at the hour of noon-day, + For our couches finest linen, + For our heads the softest pillows, + For our comfort woollen blankets, + For our necks the silken ribbons." + To the bride speaks gracious Lakko: + "Goodly wife, thou Maid of Beauty, + Highly wert thou praised as daughter, + In thy father's distant country; + Here thou shalt be praised forever + By the kindred of thy husband; + Thou shalt never suffer sorrow, + Never give thy heart to grieving; + In the swamps thou wert not nurtured, + Wert not fed beside the brooklets; + Thou wert born 'neath stars auspicious, + Nurtured from the richest garners, + Thou wert taken to the brewing + Of the sweetest beer in Northland. + "Beauteous bride from Sariola, + Shouldst thou see me bringing hither + Casks of corn, or wheat, or barley; + Bringing rye in great abundance, + They belong to this thy household; + Good the plowing of thy husband. + Good his sowing and his reaping. + "Bride of Beauty from the Northland, + Thou wilt learn this home to manage, + Learn to labor with thy kindred; + Good the home for thee to dwell in, + Good enough for bride and daughter. + At thy hand will rest the milk-pail, + And the churn awaits thine order; + It is well here for the maiden, + Happy will the young bride labor, + Easy are the resting-benches; + Here the host is like thy father, + Like thy mother is the hostess, + All the sons are like thy brothers, + Like thy sisters are the daughters. + "Shouldst thou ever have a longing + For the whiting of the ocean, + For thy, father's Northland salmon, + For thy brother's hazel-chickens, + Ask them only of thy husband, + Let thy hero-husband bring them. + There is not in all of Northland, + Not a creature of the forest, + Not a bird beneath the ether, + Not a fish within the waters, + Not the largest, nor the smallests + That thy husband cannot capture. + It is well here for the maiden, + Here the bride may live in freedom, + Need not turn the heavy millstone, + Need not move the iron pestle; + Here the wheat is ground by water, + For the rye, the swifter current, + While the billows wash the vessels + And the surging waters rinse them. + Thou hast here a lovely village, + Finest spot in all of Northland, + In the lowlands sweet the verdure, + in the uplands, fields of beauty, + With the lake-shore near the hamlet, + Near thy home the running water, + Where the goslings swim and frolic, + Water-birds disport in numbers." + Thereupon the bride and bridegroom + Were refreshed with richest viands, + Given food and drink abundant, + Fed on choicest bits of reindeer, + On the sweetest loaves of barley, + On the best of wheaten biscuits, + On the richest beer of Northland. + Many things were on the table, + Many dainties of Wainola, + In the bowls of scarlet color, + In the platters deftly painted, + Many cakes with honey sweetened, + To each guest was butter given, + Many bits of trout and whiting, + Larger salmon carved in slices, + With the knives of molten silver, + Rimmed with gold the silver handles, + Beer of barley ceaseless flowing, + Honey-drink that was not purchased, + In the cellar flows profusely, + Beer for all, the tongues to quicken, + Mead and beer the minds to freshen. + Who is there to lead the singing, + Lead the songs of Kalevala? + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + The eternal, wise enchanter, + Quick begins his incantations, + Straightway sings the songs that follow. + "Golden brethren, dearest kindred, + Ye, my loved ones, wise and worthy + Ye companions, highly-gifted, + Listen to my simple sayings: + Rarely stand the geese together, + Sisters do not mate each other, + Not together stand the brothers, + Nor the children of one mother, + In the countries of the Northland. + "Shall we now begin the singing, + Sing the songs of old tradition? + Singers can but sing their wisdom, + And the cuckoo call the spring-time, + And the goddess of the heavens + Only dyes the earth in beauty; + So the goddesses of weaving + Can but weave from dawn till twilight, + Ever sing the youth of Lapland + In their straw-shoes full of gladness, + When the coarse-meat of the roebuck, + Or of blue-moose they have eaten. + Wherefore should I not be singing, + And the children not be chanting + Of the biscuits of Wainola, + Of the bread of Kalew-waters? + Even Sing the lads of Lapland + In their straw-shoes filled with joyance, + Drinking but a cup of water, + Eating but the bitter tan-bark. + Wherefore should I not be singing, + And the children not be chanting + Of the beer of Kalevala, + Brewed from barley in perfection, + Dressed in quaint and homely costume, + As they sit beside their hearth-stones. + Wherefore should I not be singing, + And the children too be chanting + Underneath these painted rafters, + In these halls renowned and ancient? + This the place for men to linger, + This the court-room for the maidens, + Near the foaming beer of barley, + Honey-brewed in great abundance, + Very near, the salmon-waters, + Near, the nets for trout and whiting, + Here where food is never wanting, + Where the beer is ever brewing. + Here Wainola's sons assemble, + Here Wainola's daughters gather, + Here they never eat in trouble, + Here they live without regretting, + In the life-time of the landlord, + While the hostess lives and prospers. + "Who shall first be sung and lauded? + Shall it be the bride or bridegroom? + Let us praise the bridegroom's father, + Let the hero-host be chanted, + Him whose home is in the forest, + Him who built upon the mountains, + Him who brought the trunks of lindens, + With their tops and slender branches, + Brought them to the best of places, + Joined them skilfully together, + For the mansion of the nation, + For this famous hero-dwelling, + Walls procured upon the lowlands, + Rafters from the pine and fir-tree, + From the woodlands beams of oak-wood, + From the berry-plains the studding, + Bark was furnished by the aspen, + And the mosses from the fenlands. + Trimly builded is this mansion, + In a haven warmly sheltered; + Here a hundred men have labored, + On the roof have stood a thousand, + As this spacious house was building, + As this roof was tightly jointed. + Here the ancient mansion-builder, + When these rafters were erected, + Lost in storms his locks of sable, + Scattered by the winds of heaven. + Often has the hero-landlord + On the rocks his gloves forgotten, + Left his hat upon the willows, + Lost his mittens in the marshes; + Oftentimes the mansion-builder, + In the early hours of morning, + Ere his workmen had awakened, + Unperceived by all the village, + Has arisen from his slumber, + Left his cabin the snow-fields, + Combed his locks among the branches, + Bathed his eyes in dews of morning. + "Thus obtained the pleasant landlord + Friends to fill his spacious dwelling, + Fill his benches with magicians, + Fill his windows with enchanters, + Fill his halls with wizard-singers, + Fill his floors with ancient speakers, + Fill his ancient court with strangers, + Fill his hurdles with the needy; + Thus the Kalew-host is lauded. + "Now I praise the genial hostess, + Who prepares the toothsome dinner, + Fills with plenty all her tables, + Bakes the honeyed loaves of barley, + Kneads the dough with magic fingers, + With her arms of strength and beauty, + Bakes her bread in copper ovens, + Feeds her guests and bids them welcome, + Feeds them on the toothsome bacon, + On the trout, and pike, and whiting, + On the rarest fish in ocean, + On the dainties of Wainola. + "Often has the faithful hostess + Risen from her couch in silence, + Ere the crowing of the watcher, + To prepare the wedding-banquet, + Make her tables look attractive. + Brew the honey-beer of wedlock. + Excellently has the housewife, + Has the hostess filled with wisdom, + Brewed the beer from hops and barley, + From the corn of Kalevala, + From the wheat-malt honey-seasoned, + Stirred the beer with graceful fingers, + At the oven in the penthouse, + In the chamber swept and polished. + Neither did the prudent hostess, + Beautiful, and full of wisdom, + Let the barley sprout too freely, + Lest the beer should taste of black-earth, + Be too bitter in the brewing, + Often went she to the garners, + Went alone at hour of midnight, + Was not frightened by the black-wolf, + Did not fear the beasts of woodlands. + "Now the hostess I have lauded, + Let me praise the favored suitor, + Now the honored hero-bridegroom, + Best of all the village-masters. + Clothed in purple is the hero, + Raiment brought from distant nations, + Tightly fitting to his body; + Snugly sets his coat of ermine, + To the floor it hangs in beauty, + Trailing from his neck and shoulders, + Little of his vest appearing, + Peeping through his outer raiment, + Woven by the Moon's fair daughters, + And his vestment silver-tinselled. + Dressed in neatness is the suitor, + Round his waist a belt of copper, + Hammered by the Sun's sweet maidens, + Ere the early fires were lighted, + Ere the fire had been discovered. + Dressed in richness is the bridegroom, + On his feet are silken stockings, + Silken ribbons on his ankles, + Gold and silver interwoven. + Dressed in beauty is the bridegroom, + On his feet are shoes of deer-skin, + Like the swans upon the water, + Like the blue-duck on the sea-waves, + Like the thrush among the willows, + Like the water-birds of Northland. + Well adorned the hero-suitor, + With his locks of golden color, + With his gold-beard finely braided, + Hero-hat upon his forehead, + Piercing through the forest branches, + Reaching to the clouds of heaven, + Bought with countless gold and silver, + Priceless is the suitor's head-gear. + "Now the bridegroom has been lauded, + I will praise the young bride's playmate, + Day-companion in her childhood, + In the maiden's magic mansion. + Whence was brought the merry maiden, + From the village of Tanikka? + Thence was never brought the playmate, + Playmate of the bride in childhood. + Has she come from distant nations, + From the waters of the Dwina, + O'er the ocean far-outstretching? + Not from Dwina came the maiden, + Did not sail across the waters; + Grew as berry in the mountains, + As a strawberry of sweetness, + On the fields the child of beauty, + In the glens the golden flower. + Thence has come the young bride's playmate, + Thence arose her fair companion. + Tiny are her feet and fingers, + Small her lips of scarlet color, + Like the maiden's loom of Suomi; + Eyes that shine in kindly beauty + Like the twinkling stars of heaven; + Beam the playmate's throbbing temples + Like the moonlight on the waters. + Trinkets has the bride's companion, + On her neck a golden necklace, + In her tresses, silken ribbons, + On her arms are golden bracelets, + Golden rings upon her fingers, + Pearls are set in golden ear-rings, + Loops of gold upon her temples, + And with pearls her brow is studded. + Northland thought the Moon was shining + When her jeweled ear-ringsglistened; + Thought the Sun had left his station + When her girdle shone in beauty; + Thought a ship was homeward sailing + When her colored head-gear fluttered. + Thus is praised the bride's companion, + Playmate of the Rainbow-maiden. + "Now I praise the friends assembled, + All appear in graceful manners; + If the old are wise and silent, + All the youth are free and merry, + All the guests are fair and worthy. + Never was there in Wainola, + Never will there be in Northland, + Such a company assembled; + All the children speak in joyance, + All the aged move sedately; + Dressed in white are all the maidens, + Like the hoar-frost of the morning, + Like the welcome dawn of spring-time, + Like the rising of the daylight. + Silver then was more abundant, + Gold among the guests in plenty, + On the hills were money, pockets, + Money-bags along the valleys, + For the friends that were invited, + For the guests in joy assembled. + All the friends have now been lauded, + Each has gained his meed of honor." + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Song-deliverer of Northland, + Swung himself upon the fur-bench + Or his magic sledge of copper, + Straightway hastened to his hamlet, + Singing as he journeyed onward, + Singing charms and incantations, + Singing one day, then a second, + All the third day chanting legends. + On the rocks the runners rattled, + Hung the sledge upon a birch-stump, + Broke it into many pieces, + With the magic of his singing; + Double were the runners bended, + All the parts were torn asunder, + And his magic sledge was ruined. + Then the good, old Wainamoinen + Spake these words in meditation: + "Is there one among this number, + In this rising generation, + Or perchance among the aged, + In the passing generation, + That will go to Mana's kingdom, + To the empire of Tuoni, + There to get the magic auger + From the master of Manala, + That I may repair my snow-sledge, + Or a second sledge may fashion?" + What the younger people answered + Was the answer of the aged: + "Not among the youth of Northland, + Nor among the aged heroes, + Is there one of ample courage, + That has bravery sufficient, + To attempt the reckless journey + To the kingdom of Tuoni, + To Manala's fields and castles, + Thence to bring Tuoni's auger, + Wherewithal to mend thy snow-sledge, + Build anew thy sledge of magic." + Thereupon old Wainamoinen, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Went again to Mana's empire, + To the kingdom of Tuoni, + Crossed the sable stream of Deathland, + To the castles of Manala, + Found the auger of Tuoni, + Brought the instrument in safety. + Straightway sings old Wainamoinen, + Sings to life a purple forest, + In the forest, slender birches, + And beside them, mighty oak-trees, + Shapes them into shafts and runners, + Moulds them by his will and power, + Makes anew his sledge of magic. + On his steed he lays the harness, + Binds him to his sledge securely, + Seats himself upon the cross-bench, + And the racer gallops homeward, + To the manger filled and waiting, + To the stable of his master; + Brings the ancient Wainamoinen, + Famous bard and wise enchanter, + To the threshold of his dwelling, + To his home in Kalevala. + + + + +RUNE XXVI. + + + + ORIGIN OF THE SERPENT. + + + Ahti, living on the island, + Near the Kauko-point and harbor, + Plowed his fields for rye and barley, + Furrowed his extensive pastures, + Heard with quickened ears an uproar, + Heard the village in commotion, + Heard a noise along the sea-shore, + Heard the foot-steps on the ice-plain, + Heard the rattle of the sledges; + Quick his mind divined the reason, + Knew it was Pohyola's wedding, + Wedding of the Rainbow-virgin. + Quick he stopped in disappointment, + Shook his sable locks in envy, + Turned his hero-head in anger, + While the scarlet blood ceased flowing + Through his pallid face and temples; + Ceased his plowing and his sowing, + On the field he left the furrows, + On his steed he lightly mounted, + Straightway galloped fleetly homeward + To his well-beloved mother, + To his mother old and golden, + Gave his mother these directions, + These the words of Lemminkainen: + "My beloved, faithful mother, + Quickly bring me beer and viands, + Bring me food for I am hungry, + Food and drink for me abundant, + Have my bath-room quickly heated, + Quickly set the room in order, + That I may refresh my body, + Dress myself in hero-raiment." + Lemminkainen's aged mother + Brings her hero food in plenty, + Beer and viands for the hungry, + For her thirsting son and hero; + Quick she heats the ancient bath-room, + Quickly sets his bath in order. + Then the reckless Lemminkainen + Ate his meat with beer inspiring, + Hastened to his bath awaiting; + Only was the bullfinch bathing, + With the many-colored bunting; + Quick the hero laved his temples, + Laved himself to flaxen whiteness, + Quick returning to his mother, + Spake in haste the words that follow: + "My beloved, helpful mother, + Go at once to yonder mountain, + To the store-house on the hill-top, + Bring my vest of finest texture, + Bring my hero-coat of purple, + Bring my suit of magic colors, + Thus to make me look attractive, + Thus to robe myself in beauty." + First the ancient mother asked him, + Asked her son this simple question: + "Whither dost thou go, my hero? + Dost thou go to hunt the roebuck, + Chase the lynx upon the mountains, + Shoot the squirrel in the woodlands?" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + Also known as Kaukomieli: + "Worthy mother of my being, + Go I not to hunt the roebuck, + Chase the lynx upon the mountains, + Shoot the squirrel on the tree-tops; + I am going to Pohyola, + To the feasting of her people. + Bring at once my purple vestments, + Straightway bring my nuptial outfit, + Let me don it for the marriage + Of the maiden of the Northland." + But the ancient dame dissented, + And the wife forebade the husband; + Two of all the best of heroes, + Three of nature's fairest daughters, + Strongly urged wild Lemminkainen + Not to go to Sariola, + To Pohyola's great carousal, + To the marriage-feast of Northland, + "Since thou hast not been invited, + Since they do not wish thy presence." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen. + These the words of Kaukomieli: + "Where the wicked are invited, + There the good are always welcome, + Herein lies my invitation; + I am constantly reminded + By this sword of sharpened edges, + By this magic blade and scabbard, + That Pohyola needs my presence." + Lemminkainen's aged mother + Sought again to stay her hero: + "Do not go, my son beloved, + To the feasting in Pohyola; + Full of horrors are the highways, + On the road are many wonders, + Three times Death appears to frighten, + Thrice destruction hovers over!" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + These the words of Kaukomieli: + "Death is seen by aged people, + Everywhere they see perdition, + Death can never frighten heroes, + Heroes do not fear the spectre; + Be that as it may, dear mother, + Tell that I may understand thee, + Name the first of all destructions, + Name the first and last destroyers!" + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "I will tell thee, son and hero, + Not because I wish to speak it, + But because the truth is worthy; + I will name the chief destruction, + Name the first of the destroyers. + When thou hast a distance journeyed, + Only one day hast thou travelled, + Comes a stream along the highway, + Stream of fire of wondrous beauty, + In the stream a mighty fire-spout, + In the spout a rock uprising, + On the rock a fiery hillock, + On the top a flaming eagle, + And his crooked beak he sharpens, + Sharpens too his bloody talons, + For the coming of the stranger, + For the people that approach him." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "Women die beneath the eagle, + Such is not the death of heroes; + Know I well a magic lotion, + That will heal the wounds of eagles; + Make myself a steed of alders, + That will walk as my companion, + That will stride ahead majestic; + As a duck I'll drive behind him, + Drive him o'er the fatal waters, + Underneath the flaming eagle, + With his bloody beak and talons. + Worthy mother of my being, + Name the second of destroyers." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "This the second of destroyers: + When thou hast a distance wandered, + Only two clays hast thou travelled, + Comes a pit of fire to meet thee, + In the centre of the highway, + Eastward far the pit extending, + Stretches endless to the westward, + Filled with burning coals and pebbles, + Glowing with the heat of ages; + Hundreds has this monster swallowed, + In his jaws have thousands perished, + Hundreds with their trusty broadswords, + Thousands on their fiery chargers." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "Never will the hero perish + In the jaws of such a monster; + Know I well the means of safety, + Know a remedy efficient: + I will make of snow a master, + On the snow-clad fields, a hero, + Drive the snow-man on before me, + Drive him through the flaming vortex, + Drive him through the fiery furnace, + With my magic broom of copper; + I will follow in his shadow, + Follow close the magic image, + Thus escape the frightful monster, + With my golden locks uninjured, + With my flowing beard untangled. + Ancient mother of my being, + Name the last of the destructions, + Name the third of the destroyers." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "This the third of fatal dangers: + Hast thou gone a greater distance, + Hast thou travelled one day longer, + To the portals of Pohyola, + To the narrowest of gate-ways, + There a wolf will rise to meet thee, + There the black-bear sneak upon thee-, + In Pohyola's darksome portals, + Hundreds in their jaws have perished, + Have devoured a thousand heroes; + Wherefore will they not destroy thee, + Since thy form is unprotected?" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "Let them eat the gentle lambkins, + Feed upon their tender tissues, + They cannot devour this hero; + I am girded with my buckler, + Girded with my belt of copper, + Armlets wear I of the master, + From the wolf and bear protected, + Will not hasten to Untamo. + I can meet the wolf of Lempo, + For the bear I have a balsam, + For his mouth I conjure bridles, + For the wolf, forge chains of iron; + I will smite them as the willow, + Chop them into little fragments, + Thus I'll gain the open court-yard, + Thus triumphant end my journey." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Then thy journey is not ended, + Greater dangers still await thee, + Great the wonders yet before thee, + Horrors three within thy pathway; + Three great dangers of the hero + Still await thy reckless footsteps, + These the worst of all thy dangers: + When thou hast still farther wandered, + Thou wilt reach the Court of Pohya, + Where the walls are forged from iron, + And from steel the outer bulwark; + Rises from the earth to heaven, + Back again to earth returning; + Double spears are used for railings, + On each spear are serpents winding, + On each rail are stinging adders; + Lizards too adorn the bulwarks, + Play their long tails in the sunlight, + Hissing lizards, venomed serpents, + Jump and writhe upon the rampart, + Turn their horrid heads to meet thee; + On the greensward lie the monsters, + On the ground the things of evil, + With their pliant tongues of venom, + Hissing, striking, crawling, writhing; + One more horrid than the others, + Lies before the fatal gate-way, + Longer than the longest rafters, + Larger than the largest portals; + Hisses with the tongue of anger, + Lifts his head in awful menace, + Raises it to strike none other + Than the hero of the islands." + Spake the warlike Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "By such things the children perish, + Such is not the death of heroes; + Know I well the fire to manage, + I can quench the flames of passion, + I can meet the prowling wild-beasts, + Can appease the wrath of serpents, + I can heal the sting of adders, + I have plowed the serpent-pastures, + Plowed the adder-fields of Northland; + While my hands were unprotected, + Held the serpents in my fingers, + Drove the adders to Manala, + On my hands the blood of serpents, + On my feet the fat of adders. + Never will thy hero stumble + On the serpents of the Northland; + With my heel I'll crush the monsters, + Stamp the horrid things to atoms; + I will banish them from Pohya, + Drive them to Manala's kingdom, + Step within Pohyola's mansion, + Walk the halls of Sariola!" + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Do not go, my son beloved, + To the firesides of Pohyola, + Through the Northland fields and fallows; + There are warriors with broadswords, + Heroes clad in mail of copper, + Are on beer intoxicated, + By the beer are much embittered; + They will charm thee, hapless creature, + On the tips of swords of magic; + Greater heroes have been conjured, + Stronger ones have been outwitted." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Formerly thy son resided + In the hamlets of Pohyola; + Laplanders cannot enchant me, + Nor the Turyalanders harm me + I the Laplander will conjure, + Charm him with my magic powers, + Sing his shoulders wide asunder, + In his chin I'll sing a fissure, + Sing his collar-bone to pieces, + Sing his breast to thousand fragments." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Foolish son, ungrateful wizard, + Boasting of thy former visit, + Boasting of thy fatal journey! + Once in Northland thou wert living, + In the homesteads of Pohyola; + There thou tried to swim the whirlpool, + Tasted there the dog-tongue waters, + Floated down the fatal current, + Sank beneath its angry billows; + Thou hast seen Tuoni's river, + Thou hast measured Mana's waters, + There to-day thou wouldst be sleeping, + Had it not been for thy mother! + What I tell thee well remember, + Shouldst thou gain Pohyola's chambers, + Filled with stakes thou'lt find the court-yard, + These to hold the heads of heroes; + There thy head will rest forever, + Shouldst thou go to Sariola." + Spake the warlike Lemminkainen: + "Fools indeed may heed thy counsel, + Cowards too may give attention; + Those of seven conquest-summers + Cannot heed such weak advising. + Bring to me my battle-armor. + Bring my magic mail of copper, + Bring me too my father's broadsword, + Keep the old man's blade from rusting; + Long it has been cold and idle, + Long has lain in secret places, + Long and constantly been weeping, + Long been asking for a bearer." + Then he took his mail of copper, + Took his ancient battle-armor, + Took his father's sword of magic, + Tried its point against the oak-wood, + Tried its edge upon the sorb-tree; + In his hand the blade was bended, + Like the limber boughs of willow, + Like the juniper in summer. + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "There is none in Pohya's hamlets, + In the courts of Sariola, + That with me can measure broadswords, + That can meet this blade ancestral." + From the nail he took a cross-bow, + Took the strongest from the rafters, + Spake these words in meditation: + "I shall recognize as worthy, + Recognize that one a hero + That can bend this mighty cross-bow, + That can break its magic sinews, + In the hamlets of Pohyola." + Lemminkainen, filled with courage, + Girds himself in suit of battle, + Dons his mighty mail of copper, + To his servant speaks as follows: + "Trusty slave, and whom I purchased, + Whom I bought with gold and silver, + Quick prepare my fiery charger, + Harness well my steed of battle; + I am going to the feasting, + To the banquet-fields of Lempo." + Quick obeys the faithful servant, + Hitches well the noble war-horse, + Quick prepares the fire-red stallion, + Speaks these words when all is I ready: + "I have done what thou hast hidden, + Ready harnessed is the charger, + Waiting to obey his master." + Comes the hour of the departing + Of the hero, Lemminkainen, + Right hand ready, left unwilling, + All his anxious fingers pain him, + Till at last in full obedience, + All his members give permission; + Starts the hero on his journey, + While the mother gives him counsel, + At the threshold of the dwelling, + At the highway of the court-yard: + "Child of courage, my beloved, + Son of strength, my wisdom-hero, + If thou goest to the feasting, + Shouldst thou reach the great carousal, + Drink thou only a half a cupful, + Drink the goblet to the middle, + Always give the half remaining, + Give the worse half to another, + To another more unworthy; + In the lower half are serpents, + Worms, and frogs, and hissing lizards, + Feeding on the slimy bottom." + Furthermore she tells her hero, + Gives her son these sage directions, + On the border of the court-yard, + At the portals farthest distant: + "If thou goest to the banquet, + Shouldst thou reach the great carousal, + Occupy but half the settle, + Take but half a stride in walking, + Give the second half to others, + To another less deserving; + Only thus thou'lt be a hero, + Thus become a son immortal; + In the guest-rooms look courageous, + Bravely move about the chambers, + In the gatherings of heroes, + With the hosts of magic valor." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Quickly leaped upon the cross-bench + Of his battle-sledge of wonder, + Raised his pearl-enamelled birch-rod, + Snapped his whip above his charger, + And the steed flew onward fleetly, + Galloped on his distant journey. + He had travelled little distance, + When a flight of hazel-chickens + Quick arose before his coming, + Flew before the foaming racer. + There were left some feathers lying, + Feathers of the hazel-chickens, + Lying in the hero's pathway. + These the reckless Lemminkainen + Gathered for their magic virtues, + Put them in his pouch of leather, + Did not know what things might happen + On his journey to Pohyola; + All things have some little value, + In a strait all things are useful. + Then he drove a little distance, + Galloped farther on the highway, + When his courser neighed in danger, + And the fleet-foot ceased his running. + Then the stout-heart, Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Rose upon his seat in wonder, + Craned his neck and looked about him + Found it as his mother told him, + Found a stream of fire opposing; + Ran the fire-stream like a river, + Ran across the hero's pathway. + In the river was a fire-fall, + In the cataract a fire-rock, + On the rock a fiery hillock, + On its summit perched an eagle, + From his throat the fire was streaming + To the crater far below him, + Fire out-shooting from his feathers, + Glowing with a fiery splendor; + Long he looked upon the hero, + Long he gazed on Lemminkainen, + Then the eagle thus addressed him: + "Whither art thou driving, Ahti, + Whither going, Lemminkainen?" + Kaukomieli spake in answer: + "To the feastings of Pohyola, + To the drinking-halls of Louhi, + To the banquet of her people; + Move aside and let me journey, + Move a little from my pathway, + Let this wanderer pass by thee, + I am warlike Lemminkainen." + This the answer of the eagle, + Screaming from his throat of splendor: + "Though thou art wild Lemminkainen, + I shall let thee wander onward, + Through my fire-throat let thee journey, + Through these flames shall be thy passage + To the banquet-halls of Louhi, + To Pohyola's great carousal!" + Little heeding, Kaukomieli + Thinks himself in little trouble, + Thrusts his fingers in his pockets, + Searches in his pouch of leather, + Quickly takes the magic feathers, + Feathers from the hazel-chickens, + Rubs them into finest powder, + Rubs them with his magic fingers + Whence a flight of birds arises, + Hazel-chickens from the feathers, + Large the bevy of the young birds. + Quick the wizard, Lemminkainen, + Drives them to the eagle's fire-mouth, + Thus to satisfy his hunger, + Thus to quench the fire out-streaming. + Thus escapes the reckless hero, + Thus escapes the first of dangers, + Passes thus the first destroyer, + On his journey to Pohyola. + With his whip he strikes his courser, + With his birch-whip, pearl-enamelled; + Straightway speeds the fiery charger, + Noiselessly upon his journey, + Gallops fast and gallops faster, + Till the flying steed in terror + Neighs again and ceases running. + Lemminkainen, quickly rising, + Cranes his neck and looks about him, + Sees his mother's words were truthful, + Sees her augury well-taken. + Lo! before him yawned a fire-gulf, + Stretching crosswise through his pathway; + Far to east the gulf extending, + To the west an endless distance, + Filled with stones and burning pebbles, + Running streams of burning matter. + Little heeding, Lemminkainen + Cries aloud in prayer to Ukko: + "Ukko, thou O God above me, + Dear Creator, omnipresent, + From the north-west send a storm-cloud, + From the east, dispatch a second, + From the south send forth a third one; + Let them gather from the south-west, + Sew their edges well together, + Fill thou well the interspaces, + Send a snow-fall high as heaven, + Let it fall from upper ether, + Fall upon the flaming fire-pit, + On the cataract and whirlpool!" + Mighty Ukko, the Creator, + Ukko, father omnipresent, + Dwelling in the courts of heaven, + Sent a storm-cloud from the north-west, + From the east he sent a second, + From the south despatched a third one, + Let them gather from the south-west, + Sewed their edges well together, + Filled their many interspaces, + Sent a snow-fall high as heaven, + From the giddy heights of ether, + Sent it seething to the fire-pit, + On the streams of burning matter; + From the snow-fall in the fire-pond, + Grows a lake with rolling billows. + Quick the hero, Lemminkainen, + Conjures there of ice a passage + From one border to the other, + Thus escapes his second danger, + Thus his second trouble passes. + Then the reckless Lemminkainen + Raised his pearl-enamelled birch-rod, + Snapped his whip above his racer, + And the steed flew onward swiftly, + Galloped on his distant journey + O'er the highway to Pohyola; + Galloped fast and galloped faster, + Galloped on a greater distance, + When the stallion loudly neighing, + Stopped and trembled on the highway, + Then the lively Lemminkainen + Raised himself upon the cross-bench, + Looked to see what else had happened; + Lo I a wolf stands at the portals, + in the passage-way a black-bear, + At the high-gate of Pohyola, + At the ending of the journey. + Thereupon young Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Thrusts his fingers in his pockets, + Seeks his magic pouch of leather, + Pulls therefrom a lock of ewe-wool, + Rubs it firmly in his fingers, + In his hands it falls to powder; + Breathes the breath of life upon it, + When a flock of sheep arises, + Goats and sheep of sable color; + On the flock the black-wolf pounces, + And the wild-bear aids the slaughter, + While the reckless Lemminkainen + Rushes by them on his journey; + Gallops on a little distance, + To the court of Sariola, + Finds the fence of molten iron, + And of steel the rods and pickets, + In the earth a hundred fathoms, + To the azure sky, a thousand, + Double-pointed spears projecting; + On each spear were serpents twisted, + Adders coiled in countless numbers, + Lizards mingled with the serpents, + Tails entangled pointing earthward, + While their heads were skyward whirling, + Writhing, hissing mass of evil. + Then the stout-heart, Kaukomieli, + Deeply thought and long considered: + "It is as my mother told me, + This the wall that she predicted, + Stretching from the earth to heaven; + Downward deep are serpents creeping, + Deeper still the rails extending; + High as highest flight of eagles, + Higher still the wall shoots upward." + But the hero, Lemminkainen, + Little cares, nor feels disheartened, + Draws his broadsword from its scabbard, + Draws his mighty blade ancestral, + Hews the wall with might of magic, + Breaks the palisade in pieces, + Hews to atoms seven pickets, + Chops the serpent-wall to fragments; + Through the breach he quickly passes + To the portals of Pohyola. + In the way, a serpent lying, + Lying crosswise in the entry, + Longer than the longest rafters, + Larger than the posts of oak-wood; + Hundred-eyed, the heinous serpent, + And a thousand tongues, the monster, + Eyes as large as sifting vessels, + Tongues as long as shafts of javelins, + Teeth as large as hatchet-handles, + Back as broad as skiffs of ocean. + Lemminkainen does not venture + Straightway through this host opposing, + Through the hundred heads of adders, + Through the thousand tongues of serpents. + Spake the magic Lemminkainen: + "Venomed viper, thing of evil, + Ancient adder of Tuoni, + Thou that crawlest in the stubble, + Through the flower-roots of Lempo, + Who has sent thee from thy kingdom, + Sent thee from thine evil coverts, + Sent thee hither, crawling, writhing, + In the pathway I would travel? + Who bestowed thy mouth of venom, + Who insisted, who commanded, + Thou shouldst raise thy head toward heaven, + Who thy tail has given action? + Was this given by the father, + Did the mother give this power, + Or the eldest of the brothers, + Or the youngest of the sisters, + Or some other of thy kindred? + "Close thy mouth, thou thing of evil, + Hide thy pliant tongue of venom, + In a circle wrap thy body, + Coil thou like a shield in silence, + Give to me one-half the pathway, + Let this wanderer pass by thee, + Or remove thyself entirely; + Get thee hence to yonder heather, + Quick retreat to bog and stubble, + Hide thyself in reeds and rushes, + In the brambles of the lowlands. + Like a ball of flax enfolding, + Like a sphere of aspen-branches, + With thy head and tail together, + Roll thyself to yonder mountain; + In the heather is thy dwelling, + Underneath the sod thy caverns. + Shouldst thou raise thy head in anger, + Mighty Ukko will destroy it, + Pierce it with his steel-tipped arrows, + With his death-balls made of iron!" + Hardly had the hero ended, + When the monster, little heeding, + Hissing with his tongue in anger, + Plying like the forked lightning, + Pounces with his mouth of venom + At the head of Lemminkainen; + But the hero, quick recalling, + Speaks the master-words of knowledge, + Words that came from distant ages, + Words his ancestors had taught him, + Words his mother learned in childhood, + These the words of Lemminkainen: + "Since thou wilt not heed mine order, + Since thou wilt not leave the highway, + Puffed with pride of thine own greatness, + Thou shall burst in triple pieces. + Leave thy station for the borders, + I will hunt thine ancient mother, + Sing thine origin of evil, + How arose thy head of horror; + Suoyatar, thine ancient mother, + Thing of evil, thy creator!" + "Suoyatar once let her spittle + Fall upon the waves of ocean; + This was rocked by winds and waters, + Shaken by the ocean-currents, + Six years rocked upon the billows, + Rocked in water seven summers, + On the blue-back of the ocean, + On the billows high as heaven; + Lengthwise did the billows draw it, + And the sunshine gave it softness, + To the shore the billows washed it, + On the coast the waters left it. + "Then appeared Creation's daughters, + Three the daughters thus appearing, + On the roaring shore of ocean, + There beheld the spittle lying, + And the daughters spake as follows: + 'What would happen from this spittle, + Should the breath of the Creator + Fall upon the writhing matter, + Breathe the breath of life upon it, + Give the thing the sense of vision? + "The Creator heard these measures, + Spake himself the words that follow: + 'Evil only comes from evil, + This is the expectoration + Of fell Suoyatar, its mother; + Therefore would the thing be evil, + Should I breathe a soul within it, + Should I give it sense of vision.' + "Hisi heard this conversation, + Ever ready with his mischief, + Made himself to be creator, + Breathed a soul into the spittle, + To fell Suoyatar's fierce anger. + Thus arose the poison-monster, + Thus was born the evil serpent, + This the origin of evil. + "Whence the life that gave her action'? + From the carbon-pile of Hisi. + Whence then was her heart created? + From the heart-throbs of her mother + Whence arose her brain of evil? + From the foam of rolling waters. + Whence was consciousness awakened? + From the waterfall's commotion. + Whence arose her head of venom? + From the seed-germs of the ivy. + Whence then came her eyes of fury? + From the flaxen seeds of Lempo. + Whence the evil ears for hearing? + From the foliage of Hisi. + Whence then was her mouth created? + This from Suoyatar's foam-currents + Whence arose thy tongue of anger r + From the spear of Keitolainen. + Whence arose thy fangs of poison? + From the teeth of Mana's daughter. + Whence then was thy back created? + From the carbon-posts of Piru. + How then was thy tail created? + From the brain of the hobgoblin. + Whence arose thy writhing entrails? + From the death-belt of Tuoni. + "This thine origin, O Serpent, + This thy charm of evil import, + Vilest thing of God's creation, + Writhing, hissing thing of evil, + With the color of Tuoni, + With the shade of earth and heaven, + With the darkness of the storm-cloud. + Get thee hence, thou loathsome monster, + Clear the pathway of this hero. + I am mighty Lemminkainen, + On my journey to Pohyola, + To the feastings and carousals, + In the halls of darksome Northland." + Thereupon the snake uncoiling, + Hundred-eyed and heinous monster, + Crawled away to other portals, + That the hero, Kaukomieli, + Might proceed upon his errand, + To the dismal Sariola, + To the feastings and carousals + In the banquet-halls of Pohya. + + + + +RUNE XXVII. + + + + THE UNWELCOME GUEST. + + + I have brought young Kaukomieli, + Brought the Islander and hero, + Also known as Lemminkainen, + Through the jaws of death and ruin, + Through the darkling deeps of Kalma, + To the homesteads of Pohyola, + To the dismal courts of Louhi; + Now must I relate his doings, + Must relate to all my bearers, + How the merry Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Wandered through Pohyola's chambers, + Through the halls of Sariola, + How the hero went unbidden + To the feasting and carousal, + Uninvited to the banquet. + Lemminkainen full of courage, + Full of life, and strength, and magic. + Stepped across the ancient threshold, + To the centre of the court-room, + And the floors of linwood trembled, + Walls and ceilings creaked and murmured. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + These the words that Ahti uttered: + "Be ye greeted on my coming, + Ye that greet, be likewise greeted! + Listen, all ye hosts of Pohya; + Is there food about this homestead, + Barley for my hungry courser, + Beer to give a thirsty stranger? + Sat the host of Sariola + At the east end of the table, + Gave this answer to the questions: + "Surely is there in this homestead, + For thy steed an open stable, + Never will this host refuse thee, + Shouldst thou act a part becoming, + Worthy, coming to these portals, + Waiting near the birchen rafters, + In the spaces by the kettles, + By the triple hooks of iron." + Then the reckless Lemminkainen + Shook his sable locks and answered: + "Lempo may perchance come hither, + Let him fill this lowly station, + Let him stand between the kettles, + That with soot he may be blackened. + Never has my ancient father, + Never has the dear old hero, + Stood upon a spot unworthy, + At the portals near the rafters; + For his steed the best of stables, + Food and shelter gladly furnished, + And a room for his attendants, + Corners furnished for his mittens, + Hooks provided for his snow-shoes, + Halls in waiting for his helmet. + Wherefore then should I not find here + What my father found before me?" + To the centre walked the hero, + Walked around the dining table, + Sat upon a bench and waited, + On a bench of polished fir-wood, + And the kettle creaked beneath him. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "As a guest am I unwelcome, + Since the waiters bring no viands, + Bring no dishes to the stranger?" + Ilpotar, the Northland hostess, + Then addressed the words that follow: + "Lemminkainen, thou art evil, + Thou art here, but not invited, + Thou hast not the look of kindness, + Thou wilt give me throbbing temples, + Thou art bringing pain and sorrow. + All our beer is in the barley, + All the malt is in the kernel, + All our grain is still ungarnered, + And our dinner has been eaten; + Yesterday thou shouldst have been here, + Come again some future season." + Whereupon wild Lemminkainen + Pulled his mouth awry in anger, + Shook his coal-black locks and answered: + "All the tables here are empty, + And the feasting-time is over; + All the beer has left the goblets, + Empty too are all the pitchers, + Empty are the larger vessels. + O thou hostess of Pohyola, + Toothless dame of dismal Northland, + Badly managed is thy wedding, + And thy feast is ill-conducted, + Like the dogs hast thou invited; + Thou hast baked the honey-biscuit, + Wheaten loaves of greatest virtue, + Brewed thy beer from hops and barley, + Sent abroad thine invitations, + Six the hamlets thou hast honored, + Nine the villages invited + By thy merry wedding-callers. + Thou hast asked the poor and lowly, + Asked the hosts of common people, + Asked the blind, and deaf, and crippled, + Asked a multitude of beggars, + Toilers by the day, and hirelings; + Asked the men of evil habits, + Asked the maids with braided tresses, + I alone was not invited. + How could such a slight be given, + Since I sent thee kegs of barley? + Others sent thee grain in cupfuls, + Brought it sparingly in dippers, + While I sent thee fullest measure, + Sent the half of all my garners, + Of the richest of my harvest, + Of the grain that I had gathered. + Even now young Lemminkainen, + Though a guest of name and station + Has no beer, no food, no welcome, + Naught for him art thou preparing, + Nothing cooking in thy kettles, + Nothing brewing in thy cellars + For the hero of the Islands, + At the closing of his journey." + Ilpotar, the ancient hostess, + Gave this order to her servants: + "Come, my pretty maiden-waiter, + Servant-girl to me belonging, + Lay some salmon to the broiling, + Bring some beer to give the stranger!" + Small of stature was the maiden, + Washer of the banquet-platters, + Rinser of the dinner-ladles, + Polisher of spoons of silver, + And she laid some food in kettles, + Only bones and beads of whiting, + Turnip-stalks and withered cabbage, + Crusts of bread and bits of biscuit. + Then she brought some beer in pitchers, + Brought of common drink the vilest, + That the stranger, Lemminkainen, + Might have drink, and meat in welcome, + Thus to still his thirst and hunger. + Then the maiden spake as follows: + "Thou art sure a mighty hero, + Here to drink the beer of Pohya, + Here to empty all our vessels!" + Then the minstrel, Lemminkainen, + Closely handled all the pitchers, + Looking to the very bottoms; + There beheld he writhing serpents, + In the centre adders swimming, + On the borders worms and lizards. + Then the hero, Lemminkainen, + Filled with anger, spake as follows: + Get ye hence, ye things of evil, + Get ye hence to Tuonela, + With the bearer of these pitchers, + With the maid that brought ye hither, + Ere the evening moon has risen, + Ere the day-star seeks the ocean! + O thou wretched beer of barley, + Thou hast met with great dishonor, + Into disrepute hast fallen, + But I'll drink thee, notwithstanding, + And the rubbish cast far from me." + Then the hero to his pockets + Thrust his first and unnamed finger, + Searching in his pouch of leather; + Quick withdraws a hook for fishing, + Drops it to the pitcher's bottom, + Through the worthless beer of barley; + On his fish-book hang the serpents, + Catches many hissing adders, + Catches frogs in magic numbers, + Catches blackened worms in thousands, + Casts them to the floor before him, + Quickly draws his heavy broad sword, + And decapitates the serpents. + Now he drinks the beer remaining, + When the wizard speaks as follows: + "As a guest am I unwelcome, + Since no beer to me is given + That is worthy of a hero; + Neither has a ram been butchered, + Nor a fattened calf been slaughtered, + Worthy food for Lemminkainen." + Then the landlord of Pohyola + Answered thus the Island-minstrel: + "Wherefore hast thou journeyed hither, + Who has asked thee for thy presence? + Spake in answer Lemminkainen: + "Happy is the guest invited, + Happier when not expected; + Listen, son of Pohylander, + Host of Sariola, listen: + Give me beer for ready payment, + Give me worthy drink for money!" + Then the landlord of Pohyola, + In bad humor, full of anger, + Conjured in the earth a lakelet, + At the feet of Kaukomieli, + Thus addressed the Island-hero: + "Quench thy thirst from yonder lakelet, + There, the beer that thou deservest!" + Little heeding, Lemminkainen + To this insolence made answer: + "I am neither bear nor roebuck, + That should drink this filthy water, + Drink the water of this lakelet." + Ahti then began to conjure, + Conjured he a bull before him, + Bull with horns of gold and silver, + And the bull drank from the lakelet, + Drank he from the pool in pleasure. + Then the landlord of Pohyola + There a savage wolf created, + Set him on the floor before him + To destroy the bull of magic, + Lemminkainen, full of courage, + Conjured up a snow-white rabbit, + Set him on the floor before him + To attract the wolf's attention. + Then the landlord of Pohyola + Conjured there a dog of Lempo, + Set him on the floor before him + To destroy the magic rabbit. + Lemminkainen, full of mischief, + Conjured on the roof a squirrel, + That by jumping on the rafters + He might catch the dog's attention. + But the master of the Northland + Conjured there a golden marten, + And he drove the magic squirrel + From his seat upon the rafters. + Lemminkainen, full of mischief, + Made a fox of scarlet color, + And it ate the golden marten. + Then the master of Pohyola + Conjured there a hen to flutter + Near the fox of scarlet color. + Lemminkainen, full of mischief, + Thereupon a hawk created, + That with beak and crooked talons + He might tear the hen to pieces. + Spake the landlord of Pohyola, + These the words the tall man uttered: + "Never will this feast be bettered + Till the guests are less in number; + I must do my work as landlord, + Get thee hence, thou evil stranger, + Cease thy conjurings of evil, + Leave this banquet of my people, + Haste away, thou wicked wizard, + To thine Island-home and people! + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Thus no hero will be driven, + Not a son of any courage + Will be frightened by thy presence, + Will be driven from thy banquet." + Then the landlord of Pohyola + Snatched his broadsword from the rafters, + Drew it rashly from the scabbard, + Thus addressing Lemminkainen: + "Ahti, Islander of evil, + Thou the handsome Kaukomieli, + Let us measure then our broadswords, + Let our skill be fully tested; + Surely is my broadsword better + Than the blade within thy scabbard." + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen. + "That my blade is good and trusty, + Has been proved on heads of heroes, + Has on many bones been tested; + Be that as it may, my fellow, + Since thine order is commanding, + Let our swords be fully tested, + Let us see whose blade is better. + Long ago my hero-father + Tested well this sword in battle, + Never failing in a conflict. + Should his son be found less worthy?" + Then he grasped his mighty broadsword, + Drew the fire-blade from the scabbard + Hanging from his belt of copper. + Standing on their hilts their broadswords, + Carefully their blades were measured, + Found the sword of Northland's master + Longer than the sword of Ahti + By the half-link of a finger. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen. + "Since thou hast the longer broadsword, + Thou shalt make the first advances, + I am ready for thy weapon." + Thereupon Pohyola's landlord + With the wondrous strength of anger, + Tried in vain to slay the hero, + Strike the crown of Lemminkainen; + Chipped the splinters from the rafters, + Cut the ceiling into fragments, + Could not touch the Island-hero. + Thereupon brave Kaukomieli, + Thus addressed Pohyola's master: + "Have the rafters thee offended? + What the crimes they have committed, + Since thou hewest them in pieces? + Listen now, thou host of Northland, + Reckless landlord of Pohyola, + Little room there is for swordsmen + In these chambers filled with women; + We shall stain these painted rafters, + Stain with blood these floors and ceilings; + Let us go without the mansion, + In the field is room for combat, + On the plain is space sufficient; + Blood looks fairer in the court-yard, + Better in the open spaces, + Let it dye the snow-fields scarlet." + To the yard the heroes hasten, + There they find a monstrous ox-skin, + Spread it on the field of battle; + On the ox-skin stand the swordsmen. + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "Listen well, thou host of Northland, + Though thy broadsword is the longer, + Though thy blade is full of horror, + Thou shalt have the first advantage; + Use with skill thy boasted broadsword + Ere the final bout is given, + Ere thy head be chopped in pieces; + Strike with skill, or thou wilt perish, + Strike, and do thy best for Northland." + Thereupon Pohyola's landlord + Raised on high his blade of battle, + Struck a heavy blow in anger, + Struck a second, then a third time, + But he could not touch his rival, + Could Dot draw a single blood-drop + From the veins of Lemminkainen, + Skillful Islander and hero. + Spake the handsome Kaukomieli: + "Let me try my skill at fencing, + Let me swing my father's broadsword, + Let my honored blade be tested!" + But the landlord of Pohyola, + Does not heed the words of Ahti, + Strikes in fury, strikes unceasing, + Ever aiming, ever missing. + When the skillful Lemminkainen + Swings his mighty blade of magic, + Fire disports along his weapon, + Flashes from his sword of honor, + Glistens from the hero's broadsword, + Balls of fire disporting, dancing, + On the blade of mighty Ahti, + Overflow upon the shoulders + Of the landlord of Pohyola. + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "O thou son of Sariola, + See! indeed thy neck is glowing + Like the dawning of the morning, + Like the rising Sun in ocean!" + Quickly turned Pohyola's landlord, + Thoughtless host of darksome Northland, + To behold the fiery splendor + Playing on his neck and shoulders. + Quick as lightning, Lemminkainen, + With his father's blade of battle, + With a single blow of broadsword, + With united skill and power, + Lopped the head of Pohya's master; + As one cleaves the stalks of turnips, + As the ear falls from the corn-stalk, + As one strikes the fins from salmon, + Thus the head rolled from the shoulders + Of the landlord of Pohyola, + Like a ball it rolled and circled. + In the yard were pickets standing, + Hundreds were the sharpened pillars, + And a head on every picket, + Only one was left un-headed. + Quick the victor, Lemminkainen, + Took the head of Pohya's landlord, + Spiked it on the empty picket. + Then the Islander, rejoicing, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Quick returning to the chambers, + Crave this order to the hostess: + "Evil maiden, bring me water, + Wherewithal to cleanse my fingers + From the blood of Northland's master, + Wicked host of Sariola." + Ilpotar, the Northland hostess, + Fired with anger, threatened vengeance, + Conjured men with heavy broadswords, + Heroes clad in copper-armor, + Hundred warriors with their javelins, + And a thousand bearing cross-bows, + To destroy the Island-hero, + For the death of Lemminkainen. + Kaukomieli soon discovered + That the time had come for leaving, + That his presence was unwelcome + At the feasting of Pohyola, + At the banquet of her people. + + + + +RUNE XXVIII. + + + + THE MOTHER'S COUNSEL. + + + Ahti, hero of the Islands, + Wild magician, Lemminkainen, + Also known as Kaukomieli, + Hastened from the great carousal, + From the banquet-halls of Louhi, + From the ever-darksome Northland, + From the dismal Sariola. + Stormful strode he from the mansion, + Hastened like the smoke of battle, + From the court-yard of Pohyola, + Left his crimes and misdemeanors + In the halls of ancient Louhi. + Then he looked in all directions, + Seeking for his tethered courser, + Anxious looked in field and stable, + But he did not find his racer; + Found a black thing in the fallow, + Proved to be a clump of willows. + Who will well advise the hero, + Who will give him wise directions, + Guide the wizard out of trouble, + Give his hero-locks protection, + Keep his magic head from danger + From the warriors of Northland? + Noise is beard within the village, + And a din from other homesteads, + From the battle-hosts of Louhi, + Streaming from the doors and window, + Of the homesteads of Pohyola. + Thereupon young Lemminkainen, + Handsome Islander and hero, + Changing both his form and features, + Clad himself in other raiment, + Changing to another body, + Quick became a mighty eagle, + Soared aloft on wings of magic, + Tried to fly to highest heaven, + But the moonlight burned his temples, + And the sunshine singed his feathers. + Then entreating, Lemminkainen, + Island-hero, turned to Ukko, + This the prayer that Ahti uttered: + "Ukko, God of love and mercy, + Thou the Wisdom of the heavens, + Wise Director of the lightning, + Thou the Author of the thunder, + Thou the Guide of all the cloudlets, + Give to me thy cloak of vapor, + Throw a silver cloud around me, + That I may in its protection + Hasten to my native country, + To my mother's Island-dwelling, + Fly to her that waits my coming, + With a mother's grave forebodings." + Farther, farther, Lemminkainen + Flew and soared on eagle-pinions, + Looked about him, backwards, forwards, + Spied a gray-hawk soaring near him, + In his eyes the fire of splendor, + Like the eyes of Pohyalanders, + Like the eyes of Pohya's spearmen, + And the gray-hawk thus addressed him: + "Ho! There! hero, Lemminkainen, + Art thou thinking of our combat + With the hero-heads of Northland?" + Thus the Islander made answer, + These the words of Kaukomieli: + "O thou gray-hawk, bird of beauty, + Fly direct to Sariola, + Fly as fast as wings can bear thee; + When thou hast arrived in safety, + On the plains of darksome Northland, + Tell the archers and the spearmen, + They will never catch the eagle, + In his journey from Pohyola, + To his Island-borne and fortress." + Then the Ahti-eagle hastened + Straightway to his mother's cottage, + In his face the look of trouble, + In his heart the pangs of sorrow. + Ahti's mother ran to meet him, + When she spied him in the pathway, + Walking toward her island-dwelling; + These the words the mother uttered: + "Of my sons thou art the bravest, + Art the strongest of my children; + Wherefore then comes thine annoyance, + On returning from Pohyola? + Wert thou worsted at the banquet, + At the feast and great carousal? + At thy cups, if thou wert injured, + Thou shalt here have better treatment + Thou shalt have the cup thy father + Brought me from the hero-castle." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Worthy mother, thou that nursed me, + If I had been maimed at drinking, + I the landlord would have worsted, + Would have slain a thousand heroes, + Would have taught them useful lessons." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Wherefore then art thou indignant, + Didst thou meet disgrace and insult, + Did they rob thee of thy courser? + Buy thou then a better courser + With the riches of thy mother, + With thy father's horded treasures." + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "Faithful mother of my being, + If my steed had been insulted, + If for him my heart was injured, + I the landlord would have punished, + Would have punished all the horsemen, + All of Pohya's strongest riders." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Tell me then thy dire misfortune, + What has happened to my hero, + On his journey to Pohyola? + Have the Northland maidens scorned thee, + Have the women ridiculed thee? + If the maidens scorned thy presence. + If the women gave derision, + There are others thou canst laugh at, + Thou canst scorn a thousand women." + Said the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Honored mother, fond and faithful, + If the Northland dames had scorned me + Or the maidens laughed derision, + I the maidens would have punished, + Would have scorned a thousand women." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Wherefore then are thou indignant, + Thus annoyed, and heavy-hearted, + On returning from Pohyola? + Was thy feasting out of season, + Was the banquet-beer unworthy, + Were thy dreams of evil import + When asleep in darksome Northland?" + This is Lemminkainen's answer: + "Aged women may remember + What they dream on beds of trouble; + I have seen some wondrous visions, + Since I left my Island-cottage. + My beloved, helpful mother, + Fill my bag with good provisions, + Flour and salt in great abundance, + Farther must thy hero wander, + He must leave his home behind him, + Leave his pleasant Island-dwelling, + Journey from this home of ages; + Men are sharpening their broadswords, + Sharpening their spears and lances, + For the death of Lemminkainen." + Then again the mother questioned, + Hurriedly she asked the reason: + "Why the men their swords were whetting, + Why their spears are being sharpened." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "Therefore do they whet their broadswords, + Therefore sharpen they their lances: + It is for thy son's destruction, + At his heart are aimed their lances. + In the court-yard of Pohyola, + There arose a great contention, + Fierce the battle waged against me; + But I slew the Northland hero, + Killed the host of Sariola; + Quick to arms rose Louhi's people, + All the spears and swords of Northland + Were directed at thy hero; + All of Pohya turned against me, + Turned against a single foeman." + This the answer of the mother: + "I had told thee this beforehand, + I had warned thee of this danger, + And forbidden thee to journey + To the hostile fields of Northland. + Here my hero could have lingered, + Passed his life in full contentment, + Lived forever with his mother, + With his mother for protection, + In the court-yard with his kindred; + Here no war would have arisen, + No contention would have followed. + Whither wilt thou go, my hero, + Whither will my loved one hasten, + To escape thy fierce pursuers, + To escape from thy misdoings, + From thy sins to bide in safety, + From thy crimes and misdemeanors, + That thy head be not endangered, + That thy body be not mangled, + That thy locks be not outrooted?" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Know I not a spot befitting, + Do not know a place of safety, + Where to hide from my pursuers, + That will give me sure protection + From the crimes by me committed. + Helpful mother of my being, + Where to flee wilt thou advise me?" + This the answer of the mother: + "I do not know where I can send thee; + Be a pine-tree on the mountain, + Or a juniper in lowlands? + Then misfortune may befall thee; + Often is the mountain pine-tree + Cut in splints for candle-lighters; + And the juniper is often + Peeled for fence-posts for the pastures. + Go a birch-tree to the valleys, + Or an elm-tree to the glenwood? + Even then may trouble find thee, + Misery may overtake thee; + Often is the lowland birch-tree + Cut to pieces in the ware-house; + Often is the elm-wood forest + Cleared away for other plantings. + Be a berry on the highlands, + Cranberry upon the heather, + Strawberry upon the mountains, + Blackberry along the fences? + Even there will trouble find thee, + There misfortune overtake thee, + For the berry-maids would pluck thee, + Silver-tinselled girls would get thee. + Be a pike then in the ocean, + Or a troutlet in the rivers? + Then would trouble overtake thee, + Would become thy life-companion; + Then the fisherman would catch thee, + Catch thee in his net of flax-thread, + Catch thee with his cruel fish-hook. + Be a wolf then in the forest, + Or a black-bear in the thickets? + Even then would trouble find thee, + And disaster cross thy pathway; + Sable hunters of the Northland + Have their spears and cross-bows ready + To destroy the wolf and black-bear." + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Know I well the worst of places, + Know where Death will surely follow, + Where misfortune's eye would find me; + Since thou gavest me existence, + Gavest nourishment in childhood, + Whither shall I flee for safety, + Whither hide from death and danger? + In my view is fell destruction, + Dire misfortune hovers o'er me; + On the morrow come the spearmen, + Countless warriors from Pohya, + Ahti's head their satisfaction." + This the answer of the mother: + "I can name a goodly refuge, + Name a land of small dimensions, + Name a distant ocean-island, + Where my son may live in safety. + Thither archers never wander, + There thy head cannot be severed; + But an oath as strong as heaven, + Thou must swear before thy mother; + Thou wilt not for sixty summers + Join in war or deadly combat, + Even though thou wishest silver, + Wishest gold and silver treasures." + Spake the grateful Lemminkainen: + "I will swear an oath of honor, + That I'll not in sixty summers + Draw my sword in the arena, + Test the warrior in battle; + I have wounds upon my shoulders, + On my breast two scars of broadsword, + Of my former battles, relies, + Relies of my last encounters, + On the battle-fields of Northland, + In the wars with men and heroes." + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Go thou, take thy father's vessel, + Go and bide thyself in safety, + Travel far across nine oceans; + In the tenth, sail to the centre, + To the island, forest-covered, + To the cliffs above the waters, + Where thy father went before thee, + Where he hid from his pursuers, + In the times of summer conquests, + In the darksome days of battle; + Good the isle for thee to dwell in, + Goodly place to live and linger; + Hide one year, and then a second, + In the third return in safety + To thy mother's island dwelling, + To thy father's ancient mansion, + To my hero's place of resting." + + + + +RUNE XXIX. + + + + THE ISLE OF REFUGE. + + + Lemminkainen, full of joyance, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Took provisions in abundance, + Fish and butter, bread and bacon, + Hastened to the Isle of Refuge, + Sailed away across the oceans, + Spake these measures on departing: + "Fare thee well, mine Island-dwelling, + I must sail to other borders, + To an island more protective, + Till the second summer passes; + Let the serpents keep the island, + Lynxes rest within the glen-wood, + Let the blue-moose roam the mountains, + Let the wild-geese cat the barley. + Fare thee well, my helpful mother! + When the warriors of the Northland, + From the dismal Sariola, + Come with swords, and spears, and cross-bows, + Asking for my head in vengeance, + Say that I have long departed, + Left my mother's Island-dwelling, + When the barley had been garnered." + Then he launched his boat of copper, + Threw the vessel to the waters, + From the iron-banded rollers, + From the cylinders of oak-wood, + On the masts the sails he hoisted, + Spread the magic sails of linen, + In the stern the hero settled + And prepared to sail his vessel, + One hand resting on the rudder. + Then the sailor spake as follows, + These the words of Lemminkainen: + "Blow, ye winds, and drive me onward, + Blow ye steady, winds of heaven, + Toward the island in the ocean, + That my bark may fly in safety + To my father's place of refuge, + To the far and nameless island!" + Soon the winds arose as bidden, + Rocked the vessel o'er the billows, + O'er the blue-back of the waters, + O'er the vast expanse of ocean; + Blew two months and blew unceasing, + Blew a third month toward the island, + Toward his father's Isle of Refuge. + Sat some maidens on the seaside, + On the sandy beach of ocean, + Turned about in all directions, + Looking out upon the billows; + One was waiting for her brother, + And a second for her father, + And a third one, anxious, waited + For the coming of her suitor; + There they spied young Lemminkainen, + There perceived the hero's vessel + Sailing o'er the bounding billows; + It was like a hanging cloudlet, + Hanging twixt the earth and heaven. + Thus the island-maidens wondered, + Thus they spake to one another: + "What this stranger on the ocean, + What is this upon the waters? + Art thou one of our sea-vessels? + Wert thou builded on this island? + Sail thou straightway to the harbor, + To the island-point of landing + That thy tribe may be discovered." + Onward did the waves propel it, + Rocked his vessel o'er the billows, + Drove it to the magic island, + Safely landed Lemminkainen + On the sandy shore and harbor. + Spake he thus when he had landed, + These the words that Ahti uttered: + "Is there room upon this island, + Is there space within this harbor, + Where my bark may lie at anchor, + Where the sun may dry my vessel?" + This the answer of the virgins, + Dwellers on the Isle of Refuge: + "There is room within this harbor, + On this island, space abundant, + Where thy bark may lie at anchor, + Where the sun may dry thy vessel; + Lying ready are the rollers, + Cylinders adorned with copper; + If thou hadst a hundred vessels, + Shouldst thou come with boats a thousand, + We would give them room in welcome." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Rolled his vessel in the harbor, + On the cylinders of copper, + Spake these words when he had ended: + "Is there room upon this island, + Or a spot within these forests, + Where a hero may be hidden + From the coming din of battle, + From the play of spears and arrows? + Thus replied the Island-maidens: + "There are places on this island, + On these plains a spot befitting + Where to hide thyself in safety, + Hero-son of little valor. + Here are many, many castles, + Many courts upon this island; + Though there come a thousand heroes, + Though a thousand spearmen follow, + Thou canst hide thyself in safety." + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "Is there room upon this island, + Where the birch-tree grows abundant, + Where this son may fell the forest, + And may cultivate the fallow?" + Answered thus the Island-maidens: + "There is not a spot befitting, + Not a place upon the island, + Where to rest thy wearied members, + Not the smallest patch of birch-wood, + Thou canst bring to cultivation. + All our fields have been divided, + All these woods have been apportioned, + Fields and forests have their owners." + Lemminkainen asked this question, + These the words of Kaukomieli: + "Is there room upon this island, + Worthy spot in field or forest, + Where to Sing my songs of magic, + Chant my gathered store of wisdom, + Sing mine ancient songs and legends?" + Answered thus the Island-maidens: + "There is room upon this island, + Worthy place in these dominions, + Thou canst sing thy garnered wisdom, + Thou canst chant thine ancient legends, + Legends of the times primeval, + In the forest, in the castle, + On the island-plains and pastures." + Then began the reckless minstrel + To intone his wizard-sayings; + Sang he alders to the waysides, + Sang the oaks upon the mountains, + On the oak-trees sang be branches, + On each branch he sang an acorn, + On the acorns, golden rollers, + On each roller, sang a cuckoo; + Then began the cuckoos, calling, + Gold from every throat came streaming, + Copper fell from every feather, + And each wing emitted silver, + Filled the isle with precious metals. + Sang again young Lemminkainen, + Conjured on, and sang, and chanted, + Sang to precious stones the sea-sands, + Sang the stones to pearls resplendent, + Robed the groves in iridescence, + Sang the island full of flowers, + Many-colored as the rainbow. + Sang again the magic minstrel, + In the court a well he conjured, + On the well a golden cover, + On the lid a silver dipper, + That the boys might drink the water, + That the maids might lave their eyelids. + On the plains he conjured lakelets, + Sang the duck upon the waters, + Golden-cheeked and silver-headed, + Sang the feet from shining copper; + And the Island-maidens wondered, + Stood entranced at Ahti's wisdom, + At the songs of Lemminkainen, + At the hero's magic power. + Spake the singer, Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "I would sing a wondrous legend, + Sing in miracles of sweetness, + If within some hall or chamber, + I were seated at the table. + If I sing not in the castle, + In some spot by walls surrounded + Then I sing my songs to zephyrs, + Fling them to the fields and forests." + Answered thus the Island-maidens: + "On this isle are castle-chambers, + Halls for use of magic singers, + Courts complete for chanting legends, + Where thy singing will be welcome, + Where thy songs will not be scattered + To the forests of the island, + Nor thy wisdom lost in ether." + Straightway Lemminkainen journeyed + With the maidens to the castle; + There he sang and conjured pitchers + On the borders of the tables, + Sang and conjured golden goblets + Foaming with the beer of barley; + Sang he many well-filled vessels, + Bowls of honey-drink abundant, + Sweetest butter, toothsome biscuit, + Bacon, fish, and veal, and venison, + All the dainties of the Northland, + Wherewithal to still his hunger. + But the proud-heart, Lemminkainen, + Was not ready for the banquet, + Did not yet begin his feasting, + Waited for a knife of silver, + For a knife of golden handle; + Quick he sang the precious metals, + Sang a blade from purest silver, + To the blade a golden handle, + Straightway then began his feasting, + Quenched his thirst and stilled his hunger, + Charmed the maidens on the island. + Then the minstrel, Lemminkainen, + Roamed throughout the island-hamlets, + To the joy of all the virgins, + All the maids of braided tresses; + Wheresoe'er he turned his footsteps, + There appeared a maid to greet him; + When his hand was kindly offered, + There his band was kindly taken; + When he wandered out at evening, + Even in the darksome places, + There the maidens bade him welcome; + There was not an island-village + Where there were not seven castles, + In each castle seven daughters, + And the daughters stood in waiting, + Gave the hero joyful greetings, + Only one of all the maidens + Whom he did not greet with pleasure. + Thus the merry Lemminkainen + Spent three summers in the ocean, + Spent a merry time in refuge, + In the hamlets on the island, + To the pleasure of the maidens, + To the joy of all the daughters; + Only one was left neglected, + She a poor and graceless spinster, + On the isle's remotest border, + In the smallest of the hamlets. + 'Then he thought about his journey + O'er the ocean to his mother, + To the cottage of his father. + There appeared the slighted spinster, + To the Northland son departing, + Spake these words to Lemminkainen: + "O, thou handsome Kaukomieli, + Wisdom-bard, and magic singer, + Since this maiden thou hast slighted, + May the winds destroy thy vessel, + Dash thy bark to countless fragments + On the ocean-rocks and ledges!" + Lemminkainen's thoughts were homeward, + Did not heed the maiden's murmurs, + Did not rise before the dawning + Of the morning on the island, + To the pleasure of the maiden + Of the much-neglected hamlet. + Finally at close of evening, + He resolved to leave the island, + He resolved to waken early, + Long before the dawn of morning; + Long before the time appointed, + He arose that he might wander + Through the hamlets of the island, + Bid adieu to all the maidens, + On the morn of his departure. + As he wandered hither, thither, + Walking through the village path-ways + To the last of all the hamlets; + Saw he none of all the castle-, + Where three dwellings were not standing; + Saw he none of all the dwellings + Where three heroes were not watching; + Saw he none of all the heroes, + Who was not engaged in grinding + Swords, and spears, and battle-axes, + For the death of Lemminkainen. + And these words the hero uttered: + "Now alas! the Sun arises + From his couch within the ocean, + On the frailest of the heroes, + On the saddest child of Northland; + On my neck the cloak of Lempo + Might protect me from all evil, + Though a hundred foes assail me, + Though a thousand archers follow." + Then he left the maids ungreeted, + Left his longing for the daughters + Of the nameless Isle of Refuge, + With his farewell-words unspoken, + Hastened toward the island-harbor, + Toward his magic bark at anchor; + But he found it burned to ashes, + Sweet revenge had fired his vessel, + Lighted by the slighted spinster. + Then he saw the dawn of evil, + Saw misfortune hanging over, + Saw destruction round about him. + Straightway he began rebuilding + Him a magic sailing-vessel, + New and wondrous, full of beauty; + But the hero needed timber, + Boards, and planks, and beams, and braces, + Found the smallest bit of lumber, + Found of boards but seven fragments, + Of a spool he found three pieces, + Found six pieces of the distaff; + With these fragments builds his vessel, + Builds a ship of magic virtue, + Builds the bark with secret knowledge, + Through the will of the magician; + Strikes one blow, and builds the first part, + Strikes a second, builds the centre, + Strikes a third with wondrous power, + And the vessel is completed. + Thereupon the ship he launches, + Sings the vessel to the ocean, + And these words the hero utters: + "Like a bubble swim these waters, + Like a flower ride the billows; + Loan me of thy magic feathers, + Three, O eagle, four, O raven, + For protection to my vessel, + Lest it flounder in the ocean!" + Now the sailor, Lemminkainen, + Seats himself upon the bottom + Of the vessel he has builded, + Hastens on his journey homeward, + Head depressed and evil-humored, + Cap awry upon his forehead, + Mind dejected, heavy-hearted, + That he could not dwell forever + In the castles of the daughters + Of the nameless Isle of Refuge. + Spake the minstrel, Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli: + "Leave I must this merry island, + Leave her many joys and pleasures, + Leave her maids with braided tresses, + Leave her dances and her daughters, + To the joys of other heroes; + But I take this comfort with me: + All the maidens on the island, + Save the spinster who was slighted, + Will bemoan my loss for ages, + Will regret my quick departure; + They will miss me at the dances, + In the halls of mirth and joyance, + In the homes of merry maidens, + On my father's Isle of Refuge." + Wept the maidens on the island, + Long lamenting, loudly calling + To the hero sailing homeward: + "Whither goest, Lemminkainen, + Why depart, thou best of heroes? + Dost thou leave from inattention, + Is there here a dearth of maidens, + Have our greetings been unworthy?" + Sang the magic Lemminkainen + To the maids as he was sailing, + This in answer to their calling: + "Leaving not for want of pleasure, + Do not go from dearth of women + Beautiful the island-maidens, + Countless as the sands their virtues. + This the reason of my going, + I am longing for my home-land, + Longing for my mother's cabins, + For the strawberries of Northland, + For the raspberries of Kalew, + For the maidens of my childhood, + For the children of my mother." + Then the merry Lemminkainen + Bade farewell to all the island; + Winds arose and drove his vessel + On the blue-back of the ocean, + O'er the far-extending waters, + Toward the island of his mother. + On the shore were grouped the daughters + Of the magic Isle of Refuge, + On the rocks sat the forsaken, + Weeping stood the island-maidens, + Golden daughters, loud-lamenting. + Weep the maidens of the island + While the sail-yards greet their vision, + While the copper-beltings glisten; + Do not weep to lose the sail-yards, + Nor to lose the copper-beltings; + Weep they for the loss of Ahti, + For the fleeing Kaukomieli + Guiding the departing vessel. + Also weeps young Lemminkainen, + Sorely weeps, and loud-lamenting, + Weeps while he can see the island, + While the island hill-tops glisten; + Does not mourn the island-mountains, + Weeps he only for the maidens, + Left upon the Isle of Refuge. + Thereupon sailed Kaukomieli + On the blue-back of the ocean; + Sailed one day, and then a second, + But, alas! upon the third day, + There arose a mighty storm-wind, + And the sky was black with fury. + Blew the black winds from the north-west, + From the south-east came the whirlwind, + Tore away the ship's forecastle, + Tore away the vessel's rudder, + Dashed the wooden hull to pieces. + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Headlong fell upon the waters; + With his head he did the steering, + With his hands and feet, the rowing; + Swam whole days and nights unceasing, + Swam with hope and strength united, + Till at last appeared a cloudlet, + Growing cloudlet to the westward, + Changing to a promontory, + Into land within the ocean. + Swiftly to the shore swam Ahti, + Hastened to a magic castle, + Found therein a hostess baking, + And her daughters kneading barley, + And these words the hero uttered: + "O, thou hostess, filled with kindness, + Couldst thou know my pangs of hunger, + Couldst thou guess my name and station, + Thou wouldst hasten to the storehouse, + Bring me beer and foaming liquor, + Bring the best of thy provisions, + Bring me fish, and veal, and bacon, + Butter, bread, and honeyed biscuits, + Set for me a wholesome dinner, + Wherewithal to still my hunger, + Quench the thirst of Lemminkainen. + Days and nights have I been swimming, + Buffeting the waves of ocean, + Seemed as if the wind protected, + And the billows gave me shelter," + Then the hostess, filled with kindness, + Hastened to the mountain storehouse, + Cut some butter, veal, and bacon, + Bread, and fish, and honeyed biscuit, + Brought the best of her provisions, + Brought the mead and beer of barley, + Set for him a toothsome dinner, + Wherewithal to still his hunger, + Quench the thirst of Lemminkainen. + When the hero's feast had ended, + Straightway was a magic vessel + Given by the kindly hostess + To the weary Kaukomieli, + Bark of beauty, new and hardy, + Wherewithal to aid the stranger + In his journey to his home-land, + To the cottage of his mother. + Quickly sailed wild Lemminkainen + On the blue-back of the ocean; + Sailed he days and nights unceasing, + Till at last he reached the borders + Of his own loved home and country; + There beheld he scenes familiar, + Saw the islands, capes, and rivers, + Saw his former shipping-stations, + Saw he many ancient landmarks, + Saw the mountains with their fir-trees, + Saw the pine-trees on the hill-tops, + Saw the willows in the lowlands; + Did not see his father's cottage, + Nor the dwellings of his mother. + Where a mansion once had risen, + There the alder-trees were growing, + Shrubs were growing on the homestead, + Junipers within the court-yard. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "In this glen I played and wandered, + On these stones I rocked for ages, + On this lawn I rolled and tumbled, + Frolicked on these woodland-borders, + When a child of little stature. + Where then is my mother's dwelling, + Where the castles of my father? + Fire, I fear, has found the hamlet, + And the winds dispersed the ashes." + Then he fell to bitter weeping, + Wept one day and then a second, + Wept the third day without ceasing; + Did not mourn the ancient homestead, + Nor the dwellings of his father; + Wept he for his darling mother, + Wept he for the dear departed, + For the loved ones of the island. + Then he saw the bird of heaven, + Saw an eagle flying near him, + And he asked the bird this question: + "Mighty eagle, bird majestic, + Grant to me the information, + Where my mother may have wandered, + Whither I may go and find her!" + But the eagle knew but little, + Only knew that Ahti's people + Long ago together perished; + And the raven also answered + That his people had been scattered + By the swords, and spears, and arrows, + Of his enemies from Pohya. + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "Faithful mother, dear departed, + Thou who nursed me in my childhood, + Art thou dead and turned to ashes, + Didst thou perish for my follies, + O'er thy head are willows weeping, + Junipers above thy body, + Alders watching o'er thy slumbers? + This my punishment for evil, + This the recompense of folly! + Fool was I, a son unworthy, + That I measured swords in Northland + With the landlord of Pohyola, + To my tribe came fell destruction, + And the death of my dear mother, + Through my crimes and misdemeanors." + Then the ministrel [sic] looked about him, + Anxious, looked in all directions, + And beheld some gentle foot-prints, + Saw a pathway lightly trodden + Where the heather had been beaten. + Quick as thought the path he followed, + Through the meadows, through the brambles, + O'er the hills, and through the valleys, + To a forest, vast and cheerless; + Travelled far and travelled farther, + Still a greater distance travelled, + To a dense and hidden glenwood, + In the middle of the island; + Found therein a sheltered cabin, + Found a small and darksome dwelling + Built between the rocky ledges, + In the midst of triple pine-trees; + And within he spied his mother, + Found his gray-haired mother weeping. + Lemminkainen loud rejoices, + Cries in tones of joyful greetings, + These the words that Ahti utters: + "Faithful mother, well-beloved, + Thou that gavest me existence, + Happy I, that thou art living, + That thou hast not yet departed + To the kingdom of Tuoni, + To the islands of the blessed, + I had thought that thou hadst perished, + Hadst been murdered by my foemen, + Hadst been slain with bows and arrows. + Heavy are mine eyes from weeping, + And my checks are white with sorrow, + Since I thought my mother slaughtered + For the sins I had committed!" + Lemminkainen's mother answered: + "Long, indeed, hast thou been absent, + Long, my son, hast thou been living + In thy father's Isle of Refuge, + Roaming on the secret island, + Living at the doors of strangers, + Living in a nameless country, + Refuge from the Northland foemen." + Spake the hero, Lemminkainen: + "Charming is that spot for living, + Beautiful the magic island, + Rainbow-colored was the forest, + Blue the glimmer of the meadows, + Silvered were, the pine-tree branches, + Golden were the heather-blossoms; + All the woodlands dripped with honey, + Eggs in every rock and crevice, + Honey flowed from birch and sorb-tree, + Milk in streams from fir and aspen, + Beer-foam dripping from the willows, + Charming there to live and linger, + All their edibles delicious. + This their only source of trouble: + Great the fear for all the maidens, + All the heroes filled with envy, + Feared the coming of the stranger; + Thought that all the island-maidens, + Thought that all the wives and daughters, + All the good, and all the evil, + Gave thy son too much attention; + Thought the stranger, Lemminkainen, + Saw the Island-maids too often; + Yet the virgins I avoided, + Shunned the good and shunned the evil, + Shunned the host of charming daughters, + As the black-wolf shuns the sheep-fold, + As the hawk neglects the chickens." + + + + +RUNE XXX. + + + + THE FROST-FIEND. + + + Lemminkainen, reckless minstrel, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Hastens as the dawn is breaking, + At the dawning of the morning, + To the resting-place of vessels, + To the harbor of the island, + Finds the vessels sorely weeping, + Hears the wailing of the rigging, + And the ships intone this chorus: + "Must we wretched lie forever + In the harbor of this island, + Here to dry and fall in pieces? + Ahti wars no more in Northland, + Wars no more for sixty summers, + Even should he thirst for silver, + Should he wish the gold of battle." + Lemminkainen struck his vessels + With his gloves adorned with copper, + And addressed the ships as follows: + "Mourn no more, my ships of fir-wood, + Strong and hardy is your rigging, + To the wars ye soon may hasten, + Hasten to the seas of battle; + Warriors may swarm your cabins + Ere to-morrow's morn has risen.!'" + Then the reckless Lemminkainen + Hastened to his aged mother, + Spake to her the words that follow: + "Weep no longer, faithful mother, + Do not sorrow for thy hero, + Should he leave for scenes of battle, + For the hostile fields of Pohya; + Sweet revenge has fired my spirit, + And my soul is well determined, + To avenge the shameful insult + That the warriors of Northland + Gave to thee, defenseless woman." + To restrain him seeks his mother, + Warns her son again of danger: + "Do not go, my son beloved, + To the wars in Sariola; + There the jaws of Death await thee, + Fell destruction lies before thee!" + Lemminkainen, little heeding, + Still determined, speaks as follows: + "Where may I secure a swordsman, + Worthy of my race of heroes, + To assist me in the combat? + Often I have heard of Tiera, + Heard of Kura of the islands, + This one I will take to help me, + Magic hero of the broadsword; + He will aid me in the combat, + Will protect me from destruction." + Then he wandered to the islands, + On the way to Tiera's hamlet, + These the words that Ahti utters + As he nears the ancient dwellings: + Dearest friend, my noble Tiera, + My, beloved hero-brother, + Dost thou other times remember, + When we fought and bled together, + On the battle-fields of Northland? + There was not an island-village + Where there were not seven mansions, + In each mansion seven heroes, + And not one of all these foemen + Whom we did not slay with broadswords, + Victims of our skill and valor." + Near the window sat the father + Whittling out a javelin-handle; + Near the threshold sat the mother + Skimming cream and making butter; + Near the portal stood the brother + Working on a sledge of birch-wood + Near the bridge-pass were the sisters + Washing out their varied garments. + Spake the father from the window, + From the threshold spake the mother, + From the portals spake the brother, + And the sisters from the bridge-pass: + "Tiera has no time for combat, + And his broadsword cannot battle; + Tiera is but late a bridegroom, + Still unveiled his bride awaits him." + Near the hearth was Tiera lying, + Lying by the fire was Kura, + Hastily one foot was shoeing, + While the other lay in waiting. + From the hook he takes his girdle, + Buckles it around his body, + Takes a javelin from its resting, + Not the largest, nor the smallest, + Buckles on his mighty scabbard, + Dons his heavy mail of copper; + On each javelin pranced a charger, + Wolves were howling from his helmet, + On the rings the bears were growling. + Tiera poised his mighty javelin, + Launched the spear upon its errand; + Hurled the shaft across the pasture, + To the border of the forest, + O'er the clay-fields of Pohyola, + O'er the green and fragrant meadows, + Through the distant bills of Northland. + Then great Tiera touched his javelin + To the mighty spear of Ahti, + Pledged his aid to Lemminkainen, + As his combatant and comrade. + Thereupon wild Kaukomieli + Pushed his boat upon the waters; + Like the serpent through the heather, + Like the creeping of the adder, + Sails the boat away to Pohya, + O'er the seas of Sariola. + Quick the wicked hostess, Louhi, + Sends the black-frost of the heavens + To the waters of Pohyola, + O'er the far-extending sea-plains, + Gave the black-frost these directions: + "Much-loved Frost, my son and hero, + Whom thy mother has instructed, + Hasten whither I may send thee, + Go wherever I command thee, + Freeze the vessel of this hero, + Lemminkainen's bark of magic, + On the broad back of the ocean, + On the far-extending waters; + Freeze the wizard in his vessel, + Freeze to ice the wicked Ahti, + That he never more may wander, + Never waken while thou livest, + Or at least till I shall free him, + Wake him from his icy slumber!" + Frost, the son of wicked parents, + Hero-son of evil manners, + Hastens off to freeze the ocean, + Goes to fasten down the flood-gates, + Goes to still the ocean-currents. + As he hastens on his journey, + Takes the leaves from all the forest, + Strips the meadows of their verdure, + Robs the flowers of their colors. + When his journey he had ended, + Gained the border of the ocean, + Gained the sea-shore curved and endless, + On the first night of his visit, + Freezes he the lakes and rivers, + Freezes too the shore of ocean, + Freezes not the ocean-billows, + Does not check the ocean-currents. + On the sea a finch is resting, + Bird of song upon the waters, + But his feet are not yet frozen, + Neither is his head endangered. + When the second night Frost lingered, + He began to grow important, + He became a fierce intruder, + Fearless grew in his invasions, + Freezes everything before him; + Sends the fiercest cold of Northland, + Turns to ice the boundless waters. + Ever thicker, thicker, thicker, + Grew the ice on sea and ocean, + Ever deeper, deeper, deeper, + Fell the snow on field and forest, + Froze the hero's ship of beauty, + Cold and lifeless bark of Ahti; + Sought to freeze wild Lemminkainen, + Freeze him lifeless as his vessel, + Asked the minstrel for his life-blood, + For his ears, and feet, and fingers. + Then the hero, Lemminkainen, + Angry grew and filled with magic, + Hurled the black-frost to the fire-god, + Threw him to the fiery furnace, + Held him in his forge of iron, + Then addressed the frost as follows: + "Frost, thou evil son of Northland, + Dire and only son of Winter, + Let my members not be stiffened, + Neither ears, nor feet, nor fingers, + Neither let my head be frozen. + Thou hast other things to feed on, + Many other beads to stiffen; + Leave in peace the flesh of heroes, + Let this minstrel pass in safety, + Freeze the swamps, and lakes, and rivers, + Fens and forests, bills and valleys; + Let the cold stones grow still colder, + Freeze the willows in the waters, + Let the aspens freeze and suffer, + Let the bark peel from the birch-trees, + Let the Pines burst on the mountains, + Let this hero pass in safety, + Do not let his locks be stiffened. + "If all these prove insufficient, + Feed on other worthy matters; + Lot the hot stones freeze asunder, + Let the flaming rocks be frozen, + Freeze the fiery blocks of iron, + Freeze to ice the iron mountains; + Stiffen well the mighty Wuoksi, + Let Imatra freeze to silence; + Freeze the sacred stream and whirlpool, + Let their boiling billows stiffen, + Or thine origin I'll sing thee, + Tell thy lineage of evil. + Well I know thine evil nature, + Know thine origin and power, + Whence thou camest, where thou goest, + Know thine ancestry of evil. + Thou wert born upon the aspen, + Wert conceived upon the willows, + Near the borders of Pohyola, + In the courts of dismal Northland; + Sin-begotten was thy father, + And thy mother was Dishonor. + "While in infancy who fed thee + While thy mother could not nurse thee? + Surely thou wert fed by adders, + Nursed by foul and slimy serpents; + North-winds rocked thee into slumber, + Cradled thee in roughest weather, + In the worst of willow-marshes, + In the springs forever flowing, + Evil-born and evil-nurtured, + Grew to be an evil genius, + Evil was thy mind and spirit, + And the infant still was nameless, + Till the name of Frost was given + To the progeny of evil. + "Then the young lad lived in hedges, + Dwelt among the weeds and willows, + Lived in springs in days of summer, + On the borders of the marshes, + Tore the lindens in the winter, + Stormed among the glens and forests, + Raged among the sacred birch-trees, + Rattled in the alder-branches, + Froze the trees, the shoots, the grasses, + Evened all the plains and prairies, + Ate the leaves within the woodlands, + Made the stalks drop down their blossoms, + Peeled the bark on weeds and willows. + "Thou hast grown to large proportions, + Hast become too tall and mighty; + Dost thou labor to benumb me, + Dost thou wish mine ears and fingers, + Of my feet wouldst thou deprive me? + Do not strive to freeze this hero, + In his anguish and misfortune; + In my stockings I shall kindle + Fire to drive thee from my presence, + In my shoes lay flaming faggots, + Coals of fire in every garment, + Heated sandstones in my rigging; + Thus will hold thee at a distance. + Then thine evil form I'll banish + To the farthest Northland borders; + When thy journey is completed, + When thy home is reached in safety, + Freeze the caldrons in the castle, + Freeze the coal upon the hearthstone, + In the dough, the hands of women, + On its mother's lap, the infant, + Freeze the colt beside its mother. + "If thou shouldst not heed this order, + I shall banish thee still farther, + To the carbon-piles of Hisi, + To the chimney-hearth of Lempo, + Hurl thee to his fiery furnace, + Lay thee on the iron anvil, + That thy body may be hammered + With the sledges of the blacksmith, + May be pounded into atoms, + Twixt the anvil and the hammer. + "If thou shouldst not heed this order, + Shouldst not leave me to my freedom, + Know I still another kingdom, + Know another spot of resting; + I shall drive thee to the summer, + Lead thy tongue to warmer climates, + There a prisoner to suffer, + Never to obtain thy freedom + Till thy spirit I deliver, + Till I go myself and free thee." + Wicked Frost, the son of Winter, + Saw the magic bird of evil + Hovering above his spirit, + Straightway prayed for Ahti's mercy, + These the words the Frost-fiend uttered: + "Let us now agree together, + Neither one to harm the other, + Never in the course of ages, + Never while the moonlight glimmers + On the snow-capped hills of Northland. + If thou hearest that I bring thee + Cold to freeze thy feet and fingers, + Hurl me to the fiery furnace, + Hammer me upon the anvil + Of the blacksmith, Ilmarinen; + Lead my tongue to warmer climates, + Banish me to lands of summer, + There a prisoner to suffer, + Nevermore to gain my freedom." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Left his vessel in the ocean, + Frozen in the ice of Northland, + Left his warlike boat forever, + Started on his cheerless journey + To the borders of Pohyola, + And the mighty Tiera followed + In the tracks of his companion. + On the ice they journeyed northward + Briskly walked upon the ice-plain, + Walked one day, and then a second, + Till the closing of the third day, + When the Hunger-land approached them, + When appeared Starvation-island. + Here the hardy Lemminkainen + Hastened forward to the castle, + This the hero's prayer and question; + "Is there food within this castle, + Fish or fowl within its larders, + To refresh us on our journey, + Mighty heroes, cold and weary? + When the hero, Lemminkainen, + Found no food within the castle, + Neither fish, nor fowl, nor bacon, + Thus he cursed it and departed: + "May the fire destroy these chambers, + May the waters flood this dwelling, + Wash it to the seas of Mana!" + Then they hastened onward, onward, + Hastened on through field and forest, + Over by-ways long untrodden, + Over unknown paths and snow-fields; + Here the hardy Lemminkainen, + Reckless hero, Kaukomieli, + Pulled the soft wool from the ledges, + Gathered lichens from the tree-trunks, + Wove them into magic stockings, + Wove them into shoes and mittens, + On the settles of the hoar-frost, + In the stinging cold of Northland. + Then he sought to find some pathway, + That would guide their wayward footsteps, + And the hero spake as follows: + "O thou Tiera, friend beloved, + Shall we reach our destination, + Wandering for days together, + Through these Northland fields and forests? + Kura thus replies to Ahti: + "We, alas! have come for vengeance, + Come for blood and retribution, + To the battle-fields of Northland, + To the dismal Sariola, + Here to leave our souls and bodies, + Here to starve, and freeze, and perish, + In the dreariest of places, + In this sun-forsaken country! + Never shall we gain the knowledge, + Never learn it, never tell it, + Which the pathway that can guide us + To the forest-beds to suffer, + To the Pohya-plains to perish, + In the home-land of the ravens, + Fitting food for crows and eagles. + Often do the Northland vultures + Hither come to feed their fledgelings; + Hither bring the birds of heaven + Bits of flesh and blood of heroes; + Often do the beaks of ravens + Tear the flesh of kindred corpses, + Often do the eagle's talons + Carry bones and trembling vitals, + Such as ours, to feed their nestlings, + In their rocky homes and ledges. + "Oh! my mother can but wonder, + Never can divine the answer, + Where her reckless son is roaming, + Where her hero's blood is flowing, + Whether in the swamps and lowlands + Whether in the heat of battle, + Or upon the waves of the ocean, + Or upon the hop-feld mountains, + Or along some forest by-way. + Nothing can her mind discover + Of the frailest of her heroes, + Only think that he has perished. + Thus the hoary-headed mother + Weeps and murmurs in her chambers: + 'Where is now my son beloved, + In the kingdom of Manala? + Sow thy crops, thou dread Tuoni, + Harrow well the fields of Kalma! + Now the bow receives its respite + From the fingers of my Tiera; + Bow and arrow now are useless, + Now the merry birds can fatten + In the fields, and fens, and forests; + Bears may live in dens of freedom, + On the fields may sport the elk-herds.'" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Thus it is, mine aged mother, + Thou that gavest me existence! + Thou hast reared thy broods of chickens, + Hatched and reared thy flights of white-swans + All of them the winds have scattered, + Or the evil Lempo frightened; + One flew hither, and one thither, + And a third one, lost forever! + Think thou of our former pleasures, + Of our better days together, + When I wandered like the flowers, + Like the berry in the meadows. + Many saw my form majestic, + Many thought me well-proportioned. + Now is not as then with Ahti, + Into evil days have fallen, + Since I see but storms and darkness! + Then my eyes beheld but sunshine, + Then we did not weep and murmur, + Did not fill our hearts with sorrow, + When the maids in joy were singing, + When the virgins twined their tresses; + Then the women joined in joyance, + Whether brides were happy-wedded, + Whether bridegrooms choose discreetly, + Whether they were wise or unwise. + "But we must not grow disheartened, + Let the Island-maidens cheer us; + Here we are not yet enchanted, + Not bewitched by magic singing, + On the paths not left to perish, + Sink and perish on our journey. + Full of youth we should not suffer, + Strong, we should not die unworthy, + Whom the wizards have enchanted, + Have bewitched with songs of magic; + Sorcerers may charm and conquer, + Bury them within their dungeons, + Hide them spell-bound in their cabins. + Let the wizards charm each other, + And bewitch their magic offspring, + Bring their tribes to fell destruction. + Never did my gray-haired father + Bow submission to a wizard, + Offer worship to magicians. + These the words my father uttered, + These the thoughts his son advances: + 'Guard us, thou O great Creator, + Shield us, thou O God of mercy, + With thine arms of grace protect us, + Help us with thy strength and wisdom, + Guide the minds of all thy heroes, + Keep aright the thoughts of women, + Keep the old from speaking evil, + Keep the young from sin and folly, + Be to us a help forever, + Be our Guardian and our Father, + That our children may not wander + From the ways of their Creator, + From the path that God has given!'" + Then the hero Lemminkainen, + Made from cares the fleetest racers, + Sable racers from his sorrows, + Reins he made from days of evil, + From his sacred pains made saddles. + To the saddle, quickly springing, + Galloped he away from trouble, + To his dear and aged mother; + And his comrade, faithful Tiera, + Galloped to his Island-dwelling. + Now departs wild Lemminkainen, + Brave and reckless Kaukomieli, + From these ancient songs and legends; + Only guides his faithful Kura + To his waiting bride and kindred, + While these lays and incantations + Shall be turned to other heroes. + + + + +RUNE XXXI. + + + + KULLERWOINEN SON OF EVIL. + + + In the ancient times a mother + Hatched and raised some swans and chickens, + Placed the chickens in the brushwood, + Placed her swans upon the river; + Came an eagle, hawk, and falcon, + Scattered all her swans and chickens, + One was carried to Karyala, + And a second into Ehstland, + Left a third at home in Pohya. + And the one to Ehstland taken + Soon became a thriving merchant; + He that journeyed to Karyala + Flourished and was called Kalervo; + He that hid away in Pohya + Took the name of Untamoinen, + Flourished to his father's sorrow, + To the heart-pain of his mother. + Untamoinen sets his fish-nets + In the waters of Kalervo; + Kullerwoinen sees the fish-nets, + Takes the fish home in his basket. + Then Untamo, evil-minded, + Angry grew and sighed for vengeance, + Clutched his fingers for the combat, + Bared his mighty arms for battle, + For the stealing of his salmon, + For the robbing of his fish-nets. + Long they battled, fierce the struggle, + Neither one could prove the victor; + Should one beat the other fiercely, + He himself was fiercely beaten. + Then arose a second trouble; + On the second and the third days, + Kalerwoinen sowed some barley + Near the barns of Untamoinen; + Untamoinen's sheep in hunger + Ate the crop of Kullerwoinen; + Kullerwoinen's dog in malice + Tore Untamo's sheep in pieces; + Then Untamo sorely threatened + To annihilate the people + Of his brother, Kalerwoinen, + To exterminate his tribe-folk, + To destroy the young and aged, + To out-root his race and kingdom; + Conjures men with broadswords girded, + For the war he fashions heroes, + Fashions youth with spears adjusted, + Bearing axes on their shoulders, + Conjures thus a mighty army, + Hastens to begin a battle, + Bring a war upon his brother. + Kalerwoinen's wife in beauty + Sat beside her chamber-window, + Looking out along the highway, + Spake these words in wonder guessing: + "Do I see some smoke arising, + Or perchance a heavy storm-cloud, + Near the border of the forest, + Near the ending of the prairie?" + It was not some smoke arising, + Nor indeed a heavy storm-cloud, + It was Untamoinen's soldiers + Marching to the place of battle. + Warriors of Untamoinen + Came equipped with spears and arrows, + Killed the people of Kalervo, + Slew his tribe and all his kindred, + Burned to ashes many dwellings, + Levelled many courts and cabins, + Only, left Kalervo's daughter, + With her unborn child, survivors + Of the slaughter of Untamo; + And she led the hostile army + To her father's halls and mansion, + Swept the rooms and made them cheery, + Gave the heroes home-attentions. + Time had gone but little distance, + Ere a boy was born in magic + Of the virgin, Untamala, + Of a mother, trouble-laden, + Him the mother named Kullervo, + "Pearl of Combat," said Untamo. + Then they laid the child of wonder, + Fatherless, the magic infant, + In the cradle of attention, + To be rocked, and fed, and guarded; + But he rocked himself at pleasure, + Rocked until his locks stood endwise; + Rocked one day, and then a second, + Rocked the third from morn till noontide; + But before the third day ended, + Kicks the boy with might of magic, + Forwards, backwards, upwards, downwards, + Kicks in miracles of power, + Bursts with might his swaddling garments + Creeping from beneath his blankets, + Knocks his cradle into fragments, + Tears to tatters all his raiment, + Seemed that he would grow a hero, + And his mother, Untamala, + Thought that be, when full of stature, + When he found his strength and reason, + Would become a great magician, + First among a thousand heroes. + When three months the boy had thriven, + He began to speak as follows: + "When my form is full of stature, + When these arms grow strong and hardy, + Then will I avenge the murder + Of Kalervo and his people!" + Untamoinen bears the saying, + Speaks these words to those about him; + "To my tribe he brings destruction, + In him grows a new Kalervo!" + Then the heroes well considered, + And the women gave their counsel, + How to kill the magic infant, + That their tribe may live in safety. + It appeared the boy would prosper; + Finally, they all consenting, + He was placed within a basket, + And with willows firmly fastened, + Taken to the reeds and rushes, + Lowered to the deepest waters, + In his basket there to perish. + When three nights had circled over, + Messengers of Untamoinen + Went to see if he had perished + In his basket in the waters; + But the prodigy, was living, + Had not perished in the rushes; + He had left his willow-basket, + Sat in triumph on a billow, + In his hand a rod of copper, + On the rod a golden fish-line, + Fishing for the silver whiting, + Measuring the deeps beneath him; + In the sea was little water, + Scarcely would it fill three measures. + Untamoinen then reflected, + This the language of the wizard: + "Whither shall we take this wonder, + Lay this prodigy of evil, + That destruction may o'ertake him, + Where the boy will sink and perish?" + Then his messengers he ordered + To collect dried poles of brushwood, + Birch-trees with their hundred branches, + Pine-trees full of pitch and resin, + Ordered that a pyre be builded, + That the boy might be cremated, + That Kullervo thus might perish. + High they piled the and branches, + Dried limbs from the sacred birch-tree, + Branches from a hundred fir-trees, + Knots and branches full of resign; + Filled with bark a thousand sledges, + Seasoned oak, a hundred measures; + Piled the brushwood to the tree-tops, + Set the boy upon the summit, + Set on fire the pile of brushwood, + Burned one day, and then a second, + Burned the third from morn till evening. + When Untamo sent his heralds + To inspect the pyre and wizard, + There to learn if young Kullervo + Had been burned to dust and ashes, + There they saw the young boy sitting + On a pyramid of embers, + In his band a rod of copper, + Raking coals of fire about him, + To increase their heat and power; + Not a hair was burned nor injured, + Not a ringlet singed nor shrivelled. + Then Untamo, evil-humored, + Thus addressed his trusted heralds: + "Whither shall the boy be taken, + To what place this thing of evil, + That destruction may o'ertake him. + That the boy may sink and perish?" + Then they hung him to an oak-tree, + Crucified him in the branches, + That the wizard there might perish. + When three days and nights had ended, + Untamoinen spake as follows: + "It is time to send my heralds + To inspect the mighty oak-tree, + There to learn if young Kullervo + Lives or dies among the branches." + Thereupon he sent his servants, + And the heralds brought this message: + "Young Kullervo has not perished, + Has not died among the branches + Of the oak-tree where we hung him. + In the oak he maketh pictures + With a wand between his fingers; + Pictures hang from all the branches, + Carved and painted by Kullervo; + And the heroes, thick as acorns, + With their swords and spears adjusted, + Fill the branches of the oak-tree, + Every leaf becomes a soldier." + Who can help the grave Untamo + Kill the boy that threatens evil + To Untamo's tribe and country, + Since he will not die by water, + Nor by fire, nor crucifixion? + Finally it was decided + That his body was immortal, + Could not suffer death nor torture. + In despair grave Untamoinen + Thus addressed the boy, Kullervo: + "Wilt thou live a life becoming, + Always do my people honor, + Should I keep thee in my dwelling? + Shouldst thou render servant's duty, + Then thou wilt receive thy wages, + Reaping whatsoe'er thou sowest; + Thou canst wear the golden girdle, + Or endure the tongue of censure." + When the boy had grown a little, + Had increased in strength and stature, + He was given occupation, + He was made to tend an infant, + Made to rock the infant's cradle. + These the words of Untamoinen: + "Often look upon the young child, + Feed him well and guard from danger, + Wash his linen in the river, + Give the infant good attention." + Young Kullervo, wicked wizard, + Nurses one day then a second; + On the morning of the third day, + Gives the infant cruel treatment, + Blinds its eyes and breaks its fingers; + And when evening shadows gather, + Kills the young child while it slumbers, + Throws its body to the waters, + Breaks and burns the infant's cradle. + Untamoinen thus reflected: + "Never will this fell Kullervo + Be a worthy nurse for children, + Cannot rock a babe in safety; + Do not know how I can use him, + What employment I can give him!" + Then he told the young magician + He must fell the standing forest, + And Kullervo gave this answer: + "Only will I be a hero, + When I wield the magic hatchet; + I am young, and fair, and mighty, + Far more beautiful than others, + Have the skill of six magicians." + Thereupon he sought the blacksmith, + This the order of Kullervo: + "Listen, O thou metal-artist, + Forge for me an axe of copper, + Forge the mighty axe of heroes, + Wherewith I may fell the forest, + Fell the birch, and oak, and aspen." + This behest the blacksmith honors, + Forges him an axe of copper, + Wonderful the blade he forges. + Kullerwoinen grinds his hatchet, + Grinds his blade from morn till evening, + And the next day makes the handle; + Then he hastens to the forest, + To the upward-sloping mountain, + To the tallest of the birches, + To the mightiest of oak-trees; + There he swings his axe of copper, + Swings his blade with might of magic, + Cuts with sharpened edge the aspen, + With one blow he fells the oak-tree, + With a second blow, the linden; + Many trees have quickly fallen, + By the hatchet of Kullervo. + Then the wizard spake as follows: + "This the proper work of Lempo, + Let dire Hisi fell the forest!" + In the birch he sank his hatchet, + Made an uproar in the woodlands, + Called aloud in tones, of thunder, + Whistled to the distant mountains, + Till they echoed to his calling, + When Kullervo spake as follows: + "May the forest, in the circle + Where my voice rings, fall and perish, + In the earth be lost forever! + May no tree remain unlevelled, + May no saplings grow in spring-time, + Never while the moonlight glimmers, + Where Kullervo's voice has echoed, + Where the forest hears my calling; + Where the ground with seed is planted, + And the grain shall sprout and flourish, + May it never come to ripeness, + Mar the ears of corn be blasted!" + When the strong man, Untamoinen, + Went to look at early evening, + How Kullervo was progressing, + In his labors in the forest; + Little was the work accomplished, + Was not worthy of a here; + Untamoinen thus reflected: + "Young Kullervo is not fitted + For the work of clearing forests, + Wastes the best of all the timber, + To my lands he brings destruction; + I shall set him making fences." + Then the youth began the building + Of a fence for Untamoinen; + Took the trunks of stately fir-trees, + Trimmed them with his blade for fence-posts, + Cut the tallest in the woodlands, + For the railing of his fences; + Made the smaller poles and cross-bars + From the longest of the lindens; + Made the fence without a pass-way, + Made no wicket in his fences, + And Kullervo spake these measures. + "He that does not rise as eagles, + Does not sail on wings through ether, + Cannot cross Kullervo's pickets, + Nor the fences he has builded." + Untamoinen left his mansion + To inspect the young boy's labors, + View the fences of Kullervo; + Saw the fence without a pass-way, + Not a wicket in his fences; + From the earth the fence extended + To the highest clouds of heaven. + These the words of Untamoinen: + "For this work he is not fitted, + Useless is the fence thus builded; + Is so high that none can cross it, + And there is no passage through it: + He shall thresh the rye and barley." + Young Kullervo, quick preparing + Made an oaken flail for threshing, + Threshed the rye to finest powder, + Threshed the barley into atoms, + And the straw to worthless fragments. + Untamoinen went at evening, + Went to see Kullervo's threshing, + View the work of Kullerwoinen; + Found the rye was ground to powder, + Grains of barley crushed to atoms, + And the straw to worthless rubbish. + Untamoinen then grew angry, + Spake these words in bitter accents: + "Kullerwoinen as a workman + Is a miserable failure; + Whatsoever work he touches + Is but ruined by his witchcraft; + I shall carry him to Ehstland, + In Karyala I shall sell him + To the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + There to swing the heavy hammer." + Untamoinen sells Kullervo, + Trades him off in far Karyala, + To the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + To the master of the metals, + This the sum received in payment: + Seven worn and worthless sickles, + Three old caldrons worse than useless, + Three old scythes, and hoes, and axes, + Recompense, indeed, sufficient + For a boy that will not labor + For the good of his employer. + + + + +RUNE XXXII. + + + + KULLERVO AS A SHEPHERD. + + + Kullerwoinen, wizard-servant + Of the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Purchased slave from Untamoinen, + Magic son with sky-blue stockings, + With a head of golden ringlets, + In his shoes of marten-leather, + Waiting little, asked the blacksmith, + Asked the host for work at morning, + In the evening asked the hostess, + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Give me work at early morning, + In the evening, occupation, + Labor worthy of thy servant." + Then the wife of Ilmarinen, + Once the Maiden of the Rainbow, + Thinking long, and long debating, + How to give the youth employment, + How the purchased slave could labor; + Finally a shepherd made him, + Made him keeper of her pastures; + But the over-scornful hostess, + Baked a biscuit for the herdsman, + Baked a loaf of wondrous thickness, + Baked the lower-half of oat-meal, + And the upper-half of barley, + Baked a flint-stone in the centre, + Poured around it liquid butter, + Then she gave it to the shepherd, + Food to still the herdsman's hunger; + Thus she gave the youth instructions: + "Do not eat the bread in hunger, + Till the herd is in the woodlands!" + Then the wife of Ilmarinen + Sent her cattle to the pasture, + Thus addressing Kullerwoinen: + "Drive the cows to yonder bowers, + To the birch-trees and the aspens, + That they there may feed and fatten, + Fill themselves with milk and butter, + In the open forest-pastures, + On the distant hills and mountains, + In the glens among the birch-trees, + In the lowlands with the aspens, + In the golden pine-tree forests, + In the thickets silver-laden. + "Guard them, thou O kind Creator, + Shield them, omnipresent Ukko, + Shelter them from every danger, + And protect them from all evil, + That they may not want, nor wander + From the paths of peace and plenty. + As at home Thou didst protect them + In the shelters and the hurdles, + Guard them now beneath the heavens, + Shelter them in woodland pastures, + That the herds may live and prosper + To the joy of Northland's hostess, + And against the will of Lempo. + "If my herdsman prove unworthy, + If the shepherd-maids seem evil, + Let the pastures be their shepherds, + Let the alders guard the cattle, + Make the birch-tree their protector, + Let the willow drive them homeward, + Ere the hostess go to seek them, + Ere the milkmaids wait and worry. + Should the birch-tree not protect them, + Nor the aspen lend assistance, + Nor the linden be their keeper, + Nor the willow drive them homeward, + Wilt thou give them better herdsmen, + Let Creation's beauteous daughters + Be their kindly shepherdesses. + Thou hast many lovely maidens, + Many hundreds that obey thee, + In the Ether's spacious circles, + Beauteous daughters of creation. + "Summer-daughter, magic maiden, + Southern mother of the woodlands, + Pine-tree daughter, Kateyatar, + Pihlayatar, of the aspen, + Alder-maiden, Tapio's daughter, + Daughter of the glen, Millikki, + And the mountain-maid, Tellervo, + Of my herds be ye protectors, + Keep them from the evil-minded, + Keep them safe in days of summer, + In the times of fragrant flowers, + While the tender leaves are whispering, + While the Earth is verdure-laden. + "Summer-daughter, charming maiden, + Southern mother of the woodlands, + Spread abroad thy robes of safety, + Spread thine apron o'er the forest, + Let it cover all my cattle, + And protect the unprotected, + That no evil winds may harm them, + May not suffer from the storm-clouds. + Guard my flocks from every danger, + Keep them from the hands of wild-beasts, + From the swamps with sinking pathways, + From the springs that bubble trouble, + From the swiftly running waters, + From the bottom of the whirlpool, + That they may not find misfortune, + May not wander to destruction, + In the marshes sink and perish, + Though against God's best intentions, + Though against the will of Ukko. + "From a distance bring a bugle, + Bring a shepherd's horn from heaven, + Bring the honey-flute of Ukko, + Play the music of creation, + Blow the pipes of the magician, + Play the flowers on the highlands, + Charm the hills, and dales, and mount + Charm the borders of the forest, + Fill the forest-trees with honey, + Fill with spice the fountain-borders. + "For my herds give food and shelter, + Feed them all on honeyed pastures, + Give them drink at honeyed fountains + Feed them on thy golden grasses, + On the leaves of silver saplings, + From the springs of life and beauty, + From the crystal-waters flowing, + From the waterfalls of Rutya, + From the uplands green and golden, + From the glens enriched in silver. + Dig thou also golden fountains + On the four sides of the willow, + That the cows may drink in sweetness, + And their udders swell with honey, + That their milk may flow in streamlets; + Let the milk be caught in vessels, + Let the cow's gift be not wasted, + Be not given to Manala. + "Many are the sons of evil, + That to Mana take their milkings, + Give their milk to evil-doers, + Waste it in Tuoni's empire; + Few there are, and they the worthy, + That can get the milk from Mana; + Never did my ancient mother + Ask for counsel in the village, + Never in the courts for wisdom; + She obtained her milk from Mana, + Took the sour-milk from the dealers, + Sweet-milk from the greater distance, + From the kingdom of Manala, + From Tuoni's fields and pastures; + Brought it in the dusk of evening, + Through the by-ways in the darkness, + That the wicked should not know it, + That it should not find destruction. + "This the language of my mother, + And these words I also echo: + Whither does the cow's gift wander, + Whither has the milk departed? + Has it gone to feed the strangers, + Banished to the distant village, + Gone to feed the hamlet-lover, + Or perchance to feed the forest, + Disappeared within the woodlands, + Scattered o'er the hills and mountains, + Mingled with the lakes and rivers? + It shall never go to Mana, + Never go to feed the stranger, + Never to the village-lover; + Neither shall it feed the forest, + Nor be lost upon the mountains, + Neither sprinkled in the woodlands, + Nor be mingled with the waters; + It is needed for our tables, + Worthy food for all our children.' + Summer-daughter, maid of beauty, + Southern daughter of Creation, + Give Suotikki tender fodder, + To Watikki, give pure water, + To Hermikki milk abundant, + Fresh provisions to Tuorikki, + From Mairikki let the milk flow, + Fresh milk from my cows in plenty, + Coming from the tips of grasses, + From the tender herbs and leaflets, + From the meadows rich in honey, + From the mother of the forest, + From the meadows sweetly dripping, + From the berry-laden branches, + From the heath of flower-maidens, + From the verdure, maiden bowers, + From the clouds of milk-providers, + From the virgin of the heavens, + That the milk may flow abundant + From the cows that I have given + To the keeping of Kullervo. + "Rise thou virgin of the valley, + From the springs arise in beauty, + Rise thou maiden of the fountain, + Beautiful, arise in ether, + Take the waters from the cloudlets, + And my roaming herds besprinkle, + That my cows may drink and flourish, + May be ready for the coming + Of the shepherdess of evening. + "O Millikki, forest-hostess, + Mother of the herds at pasture, + Send the tallest of thy servants, + Send the best of thine assistants, + That my herds may well be guarded, + Through the pleasant days of summer, + Given us by our Creator. + "Beauteous virgin of the woodlands, + Tapio's most charming daughter, + Fair Tellervo, forest-maiden, + Softly clad in silken raiment, + Beautiful in golden ringlets, + Do thou give my herds protection, + In the Metsola dominions, + On the hills of Tapiola; + Shield them with thy hands of beauty, + Stroke them gently with thy fingers, + Give to them a golden lustre, + Make them shine like fins of salmon, + Grow them robes as soft as ermine. + "When the evening star brings darkness, + When appears the hour of twilight, + Send my lowing cattle homeward, + Milk within their vessels coursing, + Water on their backs in lakelets. + When the Sun has set in ocean, + When the evening-bird is singing, + Thus address my herds of cattle: + "Ye that carry horns, now hasten + To the sheds of Ilmarinen; + Ye enriched in milk go homeward, + To the hostess now in waiting, + Home, the better place for sleeping, + Forest-beds are full of danger; + When the evening comes in darkness, + Straightway journey to the milkmaids + Building fires to light the pathway + On the turf enriched in honey, + In the pastures berry-laden! + "Thou, O Tapio's son, Nyrikki, + Forest-son, enrobed in purple, + Cut the fir-trees on the mountains, + Cut the pines with cones of beauty, + Lay them o'er the streams for bridges, + Cover well the sloughs of quicksand, + In the swamps and in the lowlands, + That my herd may pass in safety, + On their long and dismal journey, + To the clouds of smoke may hasten, + Where the milkmaids wait their coming. + If the cows heed not this order, + Do not hasten home at evening, + Then, O service-berry maiden, + Cut a birch-rod from the glenwood, + From the juniper, a whip-stick, + Near to Tapio's spacious mansion, + Standing on the ash-tree mountain, + Drive my wayward, lowing cattle, + Into Metsola's wide milk-yards, + When the evening-star is rising. + "Thou, O Otso, forest-apple, + Woodland bear, with honeyed fingers, + Let us make a lasting treaty, + Make a vow for future ages, + That thou wilt not kill my cattle, + Wilt not eat my milk-providers; + That I will not send my hunters + To destroy thee and thy kindred, + Never in the days of summer, + The Creator's warmest season. + "Dost thou hear the tones of cow-bells, + Hear the calling of the bugles, + Ride thyself within the meadow, + Sink upon the turf in slumber, + Bury both thine ears in clover, + Crouch within some alder-thicket + Climb between the mossy ledges, + Visit thou some rocky cavern, + Flee away to other mountains, + Till thou canst not hear the cow-bells, + Nor the calling of the herdsmen. + "Listen, Otso of the woodlands, + Sacred bear with honeyed fingers, + To approach the herd of cattle + Thou thyself art not forbidden, + But thy tongue, and teeth, and fingers, + Must not touch my herd in summer, + Must not harm my harmless creatures. + Go around the scented meadows, + Amble through the milky pastures, + From the tones of bells and shepherds. + should the herd be on the mountain, + Go thou quickly to the marshes; + Should my cattle browse the lowlands, + Sleep thou then within the thicket; + Should they feed upon the uplands, + Thou must hasten to the valley; + Should the herd graze at the bottom, + Thou must feed upon the summit. + "Wander like the golden cuckoo, + Like the dove of silver brightness, + Like a little fish in ocean; + Ride thy claws within thy hair-foot, + Shut thy wicked teeth in darkness, + That my herd may not be frightened, + May not think themselves in danger. + Leave my cows in peace and plenty, + Let them journey home in order, + Through the vales and mountain by-ways, + Over plains and through the forest, + Harming not my harmless creatures. + "Call to mind our former pledges, + At the river of Tuoni, + Near the waterfall and whirlpool, + In the ears of our Creator. + Thrice to Otso was it granted, + In the circuit of the summer, + To approach the land of cow-bells, + Where the herdsmen's voices echo; + But to thee it was not granted, + Otso never had permission + To attempt a wicked action, + To begin a work of evil. + Should the blinding thing of malice + Come upon thee in thy roamings, + Should thy bloody teeth feel hunger, + Throw thy malice to the mountains, + And thy hunger to the pine-trees, + Sink thy teeth within the aspens, + In the dead limbs of the birches, + Prune the dry stalks from the willows. + Should thy hunger still impel thee, + Go thou to the berry-mountain, + Eat the fungus of the forest, + Feed thy hunger on the ant-hills, + Eat the red roots of the bear-tree, + Metsola's rich cakes of honey, + Not the grass my herd would feed on. + Or if Metsola's rich honey + Should ferment before the eating, + On the hills of golden color, + On the mountains filled with silver, + There is other food for hunger, + Other drink for thirsting Otso, + Everlasting will the food be, + And the drink be never wanting. + "Let us now agree in honor, + And conclude a lasting treaty + That our lives may end in pleasure, + May be, merry in the summer, + Both enjoy the woods in common, + Though our food must be distinctive + Shouldst thou still desire to fight me, + Let our contests be in winter, + Let our wars be, on the snow-fields. + Swamps will thaw in days of summer, + Warm, the water in the rivers. + Therefore shouldst thou break this treaty, + Shouldst thou come where golden cattle + Roam these woodland hills and valleys, + We will slay thee with our cross-bows; + Should our arrow-men be absent, + We have here some archer-women, + And among them is the hostess, + That can use the fatal weapon, + That can bring thee to destruction, + Thus will end the days of trouble + That thou bringest to our people, + And against the will of Ukko. + "Ukko, ruler in the heavens, + Lend an ear to my entreaty, + Metamorphose all my cattle, + Through the mighty force of magic, + Into stumps and stones convert them, + If the enemy should wander, + Near my herd in days of summer. + "If I had been born an Otso, + I would never stride and amble + At the feet of aged women; + Elsewhere there are hills and valleys, + Farther on are honey-pastures, + Where the lazy bear may wander, + Where the indolent may linger; + Sneak away to yonder mountain, + That thy tender flesh may lessen, + In the blue-glen's deep recesses, + In the bear-dens of the forest, + Thou canst move through fields of acorns, + Through the sand and ocean-pebbles, + There for thee is tracked a pathway, + Through the woodlands on the sea-coast, + To the Northland's farthest limits, + To the dismal plains of Lapland, + There 'tis well for thee to lumber, + There to live will be a pleasure. + Shoeless there to walk in summer, + Stockingless in days of autumn, + On the blue-back of the mountain, + Through the swamps and fertile lowlands. + "If thou canst not journey thither, + Canst not find the Lapland-highway, + Hasten on a little distance, + In the bear-path leading northward. + To the grove of Tuonela, + To the honey-plains of Kalma, + Swamps there are in which to wander, + Heaths in which to roam at pleasure, + There are Kiryos, there are Karyos, + And of beasts a countless number, + With their fetters strong as iron, + Fattening within the forest. + Be ye gracious, groves and mountains, + Full of grace, ye darksome thickets, + Peace and, plenty to my cattle, + Through the pleasant days of summer, + The Creator's warmest season. + "Knippana, O King of forests, + Thou the gray-beard of the woodlands, + Watch thy dogs in fen and fallow, + Lay a sponge within one nostril, + And an acorn in the other, + That they may not scent my cattle; + Tie their eyes with silken fillets, + That they may not see my herdlings, + May not see my cattle grazing. + "Should all this seem inefficient, + Drive away thy barking children, + Let them run to other forests, + Let them hunt in other marshes, + From these verdant strips of meadow, + From these far outstretching borders, + Hide thy dogs within thy caverns, + Firmly tie thy yelping children, + Tie them with thy golden fetters, + With thy chains adorned with silver, + That they may not do me damage,' + May not do a deed of mischief. + Should all this prove inefficient, + Thou, O Ukko, King of heaven. + Wise director, full of mercy, + Hear the golden words I utter, + Hear a voice that breathes affection, + From the alder make a muzzle, + For each dog, within the kennel; + Should the alder prove too feeble, + Cast a band of purest copper; + Should the copper prove a failure, + Forge a band of ductile iron; + Should the iron snap asunder, + In each nose a small-ring fasten, + Made of molten gold and silver, + Chain thy dogs in forest-caverns, + That my herd may not be injured. + Then the wife of Ilmarinen, + Life-companion of the blacksmith, + Opened all her yards and stables, + Led her herd across the meadow, + Placed them in the herdman's keeping, + In the care of Kullerwoinen. + + + + +RUNE XXXIII. + + + + KULLERVO AND THE CHEAT-CAKE. + + + Thereupon the lad, Kullervo, + Laid his luncheon in his basket, + Drove the herd to mountain-pastures, + O'er the hills and through the marshes, + To their grazings in the woodlands, + Speaking as he careless wandered: + "Of the youth am I the poorest, + Hapless lad and full of trouble, + Evil luck to me befallen! + I alas! must idly wander + O'er the hills and through the valleys, + As a watch-dog for the cattle!" + Then she sat upon the greensward, + In a sunny spot selected, + Singing, chanting words as follow: + "Shine, O shine, thou Sun of heaven, + Cast thy rays, thou fire of Ukko, + On the herdsman of the blacksmith, + On the head of Kullerwoinen, + On this poor and luckless shepherd, + Not in Ilmarinen's smithy, + Nor the dwellings of his people; + Good the table of the hostess, + Cuts the best of wheaten biscuit, + Honey-cakes she cuts in slices, + Spreading each with golden butter; + Only dry bread has the herdsman, + Eats with pain the oaten bread-crusts,' + Filled with chaff his and biscuit, + Feeds upon the worst of straw-bread, + Pine-tree bark, the broad he feeds on, + Sipping water from the birch-bark, + Drinking from the tips of grasses I + Go, O Sun, and go, O barley, + Haste away, thou light of Ukko, + Hide within the mountain pine-trees, + Go, O wheat, to yonder thickets, + To the trees of purple berries, + To the junipers and alders, + Safely lead the herdsman homeward + To the biscuit golden-buttered, + To the honeyed cakes and viands!" + While the shepherd lad was singing + Kullerwoinen's song and echo, + Ilmarinen's wife was feasting + On the sweetest bread of Northland, + On the toothsome cakes of barley, + On the richest of provisions; + Only laid aside some cabbage, + For the herdsman, Kullerwoinen; + Set apart some wasted fragments, + Leavings of the dogs at dinner, + For the shepherd, home returning. + From the woods a bird came flying, + Sang this song to Kullerwoinen: + "'Tis the time for forest-dinners, + For the fatherless companion + Of the herds to eat his viands, + Eat the good things from his basket!" + Kullerwoinen heard the songster, + Looked upon the Sun's long shadow, + Straightway spake the words that follow: + "True, the singing of the song-bird, + It is time indeed for feasting, + Time to eat my basket-dinner." + Thereupon young Kullerwoinen + Called his herd to rest in safety, + Sat upon a grassy hillock, + Took his basket from his shoulders, + Took therefrom the and oat-loaf, + Turned it over in his fingers, + Carefully the loaf inspected, + Spake these words of ancient wisdom: + "Many loaves are fine to look on, + On the outside seem delicious, + On the inside, chaff and tan-bark!" + Then the shepherd, Kullerwoinen, + Drew his knife to cut his oat-loaf, + Cut the hard and arid biscuit; + Cuts against a stone imprisoned, + Well imbedded in the centre, + Breaks his ancient knife in pieces; + When the shepherd youth, Kullervo, + Saw his magic knife had broken, + Weeping sore, he spake as follows: + "This, the blade that I bold sacred, + This the one thing that I honor, + Relic of my mother's people! + On the stone within this oat-loaf, + On this cheat-cake of the hostess, + I my precious knife have broken. + How shall I repay this insult, + How avenge this woman's malice, + What the wages for deception?" + From a tree the raven answered: + "O thou little silver buckle, + Only son of old Kalervo, + Why art thou in evil humor, + Wherefore sad in thy demeanor? + Take a young shoot from the thicket, + Take a birch-rod from the valley, + Drive thy herd across the lowlands, + Through the quicksands of the marshes; + To the wolves let one half wander, + To the bear-dens, lead the other; + Sing the forest wolves together, + Sing the bears down from the mountains, + Call the wolves thy little children, + And the bears thy standard-bearers; + Drive them like a cow-herd homeward, + Drive them home like spotted cattle, + Drive them to thy master's milk-yards; + Thus thou wilt repay the hostess + For her malice and derision." + Thereupon the wizard answered, + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Wait, yea wait, thou bride of Hisi! + Do I mourn my mother's relic, + Mourn the keep-sake thou hast broken? + Thou thyself shalt mourn as sorely + When thy, cows come home at evening!" + From the tree he cuts a birch-wand, + From the juniper a whip-stick, + Drives the herd across the lowlands, + Through the quicksands of the marshes, + To the wolves lets one half wander, + To the bear-dens leads the other; + Calls the wolves his little children, + Calls the bears his standard-bearers, + Changes all his herd of cattle + Into wolves and bears by magic. + In the west the Sun is shining, + Telling that the night is coming. + Quick the wizard, Kullerwoinen, + Wanders o'er the pine-tree mountain, + Hastens through the forest homeward, + Drives the wolves and bears before him + Toward the milk-yards of the hostess; + To the herd he speaks as follows, + As they journey on together: + "Tear and kill the wicked hostess, + Tear her guilty flesh in pieces, + When she comes to view her cattle, + When she stoops to do her milking!" + Then the wizard, Kullerwoinen, + From an ox-bone makes a bugle, + Makes it from Tuonikki's cow-horn, + Makes a flute from Kiryo's shin-bone, + Plays a song upon his bugle, + Plays upon his flute of magic, + Thrice upon the home-land hill-tops, + Six times near the coming gate-ways. + Ilmarinen's wife and hostess + Long had waited for the coming + Of her herd with Kullerwoinen, + Waited for the milk at evening, + Waited for the new-made butter, + Heard the footsteps in the cow-path, + On the heath she beard the bustle, + Spake these joyous words of welcome: + "Be thou praised, O gracious Ukko, + That my herd is home returning! + But I hear a bugle sounding, + 'Tis the playing of my herdsman, + Playing on a magic cow-horn, + Bursting all our ears with music!" + Kullerwoinen, drawing nearer, + To the hostess spake as follows: + "Found the bugle in the woodlands, + And the flute among the rushes; + All thy herd are in the passage, + All thy cows within the hurdles, + This the time to build the camp-fire, + This the time to do the milking!" + Ilmarinen's wife, the hostess, + Thus addressed an aged servant: + "Go, thou old one, to the milking, + Have the care of all my cattle, + Do not ask for mine assistance, + Since I have to knead the biscuit." + Kullerwoinen spake as follows: + "Always does the worthy hostess, + Ever does the wisdom-mother + Go herself and do the milking, + Tend the cows within the hurdles!" + Then the wife of Ilmarinen + Built a field-fire in the passage, + Went to milk her cows awaiting, + Looked upon her herd in wonder, + Spake these happy words of greeting: + "Beautiful, my herd of cattle, + Glistening like the skins of lynxes, + Hair as soft as fur of ermine, + Peaceful waiting for the milk-pail!" + On the milk-stool sits the hostess, + Milks one moment, then a second, + Then a third time milks and ceases; + When the bloody wolves disguising, + Quick attack the hostess milking, + And the bears lend their assistance, + Tear and mutilate her body + With their teeth and sharpened fingers. + Kullerwoinen, cruel wizard, + Thus repaid the wicked hostess, + Thus repaid her evil treatment. + Quick the wife of Ilmarinen + Cried aloud in bitter anguish, + Thus addressed the youth, Kullervo: + "Evil son, thou bloody herdsman, + Thou hast brought me wolves in malice, + Driven bears within my hurdles! + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Have I evil done as shepherd, + Worse the conduct of the hostess; + Baked a stone inside my oat-cake, + On the inside, rock and tan-bark, + On the stone my knife, was broken, + Treasure of my mother's household, + Broken virtue of my people!" + Ilmarinen's wife made answer: + "Noble herdsman, Kullerwoinen, + Change, I pray thee, thine opinion, + Take away thine incantations, + From the bears and wolves release me, + Save me from this spell of torture + I will give thee better raiment, + Give the best of milk and butter, + Set for thee the sweetest table; + Thou shalt live with me in welcome, + Need not labor for thy keeping. + If thou dost not free me quickly, + Dost not break this spell of magic, + I shall sink into the Death-land, + Shall return to Tuonela." + This is Kullerwoinen's answer: + "It is best that thou shouldst perish, + Let destruction overtake thee, + There is ample room in Mana, + Room for all the dead in Kalma, + There the worthiest must slumber, + There must rest the good and evil." + Ilmarinen's wife made answer: + "Ukko, thou O God in heaven, + Span the strongest of thy cross-bows, + Test the weapon by thy wisdom, + Lay an arrow forged from copper, + On the cross-bow of thy forging; + Rightly aim thy flaming arrow, + With thy magic hurl the missile, + Shoot this wizard through the vitals, + Pierce the heart of Kullerwoinen + With the lightning of the heavens, + With thine arrows tipped with copper." + Kullerwoinen prays as follows: + "Ukko, God of truth and justice. + Do not slay thy magic servant, + Slay the wife of Ilmarinen, + Kill in her the worst of women, + In these hurdles let her perish, + Lest she wander hence in freedom, + To perform some other mischief, + Do some greater deed of malice!" + Quick as lightning fell the hostess, + Quick the wife of Ilmarinen + Fell and perished in the hurdles, + On the ground before her cottage + Thus the death of Northland's hostess, + Cherished wife of Ilmarinen, + Once the Maiden of the Rainbow, + Wooed and watched for many summers, + Pride and joy of Kalevala! + + + + +RUNE XXXIV. + + + + KULLERVO FINDS HIS TRIBE-FOLK. + + + Kullerwoinen, young magician, + In his beauteous, golden ringlets, + In his magic shoes of deer-skin, + Left the home of Ilmarinen + Wandered forth upon his journey, + Ere the blacksmith heard the tidings + Of the cruel death and torture + Of his wife and joy-companion, + Lest a bloody fight should follow. + Kullerwoinen left the smithy, + Blowing on his magic bugle, + Joyful left the lands of Ilma, + Blowing blithely on the heather, + Made the distant hills re-echo, + Made the swamps and mountains tremble, + Made the heather-blossoms answer + To the music of his cow-horn, + In its wild reverberations, + To the magic of his playing. + Songs were heard within the smithy, + And the blacksmith stopped and listened, + Hastened to the door and window, + Hastened to the open court-yard, + If perchance he might discover + What was playing on the heather, + What was sounding through the forest. + Quick he learned the cruel story, + Learned the cause of the rejoicing, + Saw the hostess dead before him, + Knew his beauteous wife had perished, + Saw the lifeless form extended, + In the court-yard of his dwelling. + Thereupon the metal-artist + Fell to bitter tears and wailings, + Wept through all the dreary night-time, + Deep the grief that settled o'er him, + Black as night his darkened future, + Could not stay his tears of sorrow. + Kullerwoinen hastened onward, + Straying, roaming, hither, thither, + Wandered on through field and forest, + O'er the Hisi-plains and woodlands. + When the darkness settled o'er him, + When the bird of night was flitting, + Sat the fatherless at evening, + The forsaken sat and rested + On a hillock of the forest. + Thus he murmured, heavy-hearted: + "Why was I, alas! created, + Why was I so ill-begotten, + Since for months and years I wander, + Lost among the ether-spaces? + Others have their homes to dwell in, + Others hasten to their firesides + As the evening gathers round them: + But my home is in the forest, + And my bed upon the heather, + And my bath-room is the rain-cloud. + "Never didst thou, God of mercy, + Never in the course of ages, + Give an infant birth unwisely; + Wherefore then was I created, + Fatherless to roam in ether, + Motherless and lone to wander? + Thou, O Ukko, art my father, + Thou hast given me form and feature; + As the sea-gull on the ocean, + As the duck upon the waters, + Shines the Sun upon the swallow, + Shines as bright upon the sparrow, + Gives the joy-birds song and gladness, + Does not shine on me unhappy; + Nevermore will shine the sunlight, + Never will the moonlight glimmer + On this hapless son and orphan; + Do not know my hero-father, + Cannot tell who was my mother; + On the shore, perhaps the gray-duck + Left me in the sand to perish. + Young was I and small of stature, + When my mother left me orphaned; + Dead, my father and my mother, + Dead, my honored tribe of heroes; + Shoes they left me that are icy, + Stockings filled with frosts of ages, + Let me on the freezing ice-plains + Fall to perish in the rushes; + From the giddy heights of mountains + Let me tumble to destruction. + "O, thou wise and good Creator, + Why my birth and what my service? + I shall never fall and perish + On the ice-plains, in the marshes, + Never be a bridge in swamp-land, + Not while I have arms of virtue + That can serve my honored kindred!" + Then Kullervo thought to journey + To the village of Untamo, + To avenge his father's murder, + To avenge his mother's tortures, + And the troubles of his tribe-folk. + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Wait, yea wait, thou Untamoinen, + Thou destroyer of my people; + When I meet thee in the combat, + I will slay thee and thy kindred, + I will burn thy homes to ashes!" + Came a woman on the highway, + Dressed in blue, the aged mother, + To Kullervo spake as follows: + "Whither goest, Kullerwoinen, + Whither hastes the wayward hero? + Kullerwoinen gave this answer: + "I have thought that I would journey + To the far-off land of strangers, + To the village of Untamo, + To avenge my father's murder, + To avenge my mother's tortures, + And the troubles of my tribe-folk." + Thus the gray-haired woman answered: + "Surely thou dost rest in error, + For thy tribe has never perished, + And thy mother still is living + With thy father in the Northland, + Living with the old Kalervo." + "O, thou ancient dame beloved, + Worthy mother of the woodlands, + Tell me where my father liveth, + Where my loving mother lingers!" + "Yonder lives thine aged father, + And thy loving mother with him, + On the farthest shore of Northland, + On the long-point of the fish-lake!" + "Tell me, O thou woodland-mother, + How to journey to my people, + How to find mine honored tribe-folk." + "Easy is the way for strangers: + Thou must journey through the forest, + Hasten to the river-border, + Travel one day, then a second, + And the third from morn till even, + To the north-west, thou must journey. + If a mountain comes to meet thee, + Go around the nearing mountain, + Westward bold thy weary journey, + Till thou comest to a river, + On thy right hand flowing eastward; + Travel to the river border, + Where three water-falls will greet thee; + When thou comest to a headland, + On the point thou'lt see a cottage + Where the fishermen assemble; + In this cottage is thy father, + With thy mother and her daughters, + Beautiful thy maiden sisters." + Kullerwoinen, the magician, + Hastens northward on his journey, + Walks one day, and then a second, + Walks the third from morn till evening; + To the north-west walks Kullervo, + Till a mountain comes to meet him, + Walks around the nearing mountain; + Westward, westward, holds his journey, + Till he sees a river coming; + Hastens to the river border, + Walks along the streams and rapids + Till three waterfalls accost him; + Travels till he meets a headland, + On the point he spies a cottage, + Where the fishermen assemble. + Quick he journeys to the cabin, + Quick he passes through the portals + Of the cottage on the headland, + Where he finds his long-lost kindred; + No one knows the youth, Kullervo, + No one knows whence comes the stranger, + Where his home, nor where he goeth. + These the words of young Kullervo: + "Dost thou know me not, my mother, + Dost thou know me not, my father? + I am hapless Kullerwoinen + Whom the heroes of Untamo + Carried to their distant country, + When my height was but a hand-breadth." + Quick the hopeful mother answers: + "O my worthy son, beloved, + O my precious silver-buckle, + Hast thou with thy mind of magic, + Wandered through the fields of Northland + Searching for thy home and kindred? + As one dead I long have mourned thee, + Had supposed thee, in Manala. + Once I had two sons and heroes, + Had two good and beauteous daughters, + Two of these have long been absent, + Elder son and elder daughter; + For the wars my son departed, + While my daughter strayed and perished + If my son is home returning, + Yet my daughter still is absent, + Kullerwoinen asked his mother: + "Whither did my sister wander, + What direction did she journey? + This the answer of the mother: + "This the story of thy sister: + Went for berries to the woodlands, + To the mountains went my daughter, + Where the lovely maiden vanished, + Where my pretty berry perished, + Died some death beyond my knowledge, + Nameless is the death she suffered. + Who is mourning for the daughter? + No one mourns her as her mother, + Walks and wanders, Mourns and searches, + For her fairest child and daughter; + Therefore did the mother wander, + Searching for thy lovely sister, + Like the bear she roamed the forest, + Ran the glenways like the adder, + Searched one day and then a second, + Searched the third from morn till even, + Till she reached the mountain-summit, + There she called and called her daughter, + Till the distant mountains answered, + Called to her who had departed: + I Where art thou, my lovely maiden, + Come my daughter to thy mother!' + "Thus I called, and sought thy sister, + This the answer of the mountains, + Thus the hills and valleys echoed: + 'Call no more, thou weeping mother, + Weep no more for the departed; + Nevermore in all thy lifetime, + Never in the course of ages, + Will she join again her kindred, + At her brother's landing-places, + In her father's humble dwelling.'" + + + + +RUNE XXXV. + + + + KULLERVO'S EVIL DEEDS. + + + Kullerwionen, youthful wizard, + In his blue and scarlet stockings, + Henceforth lingered with his parents; + But he could not change his nature, + Could not gain a higher wisdom, + Could not win a better judgment; + As a child he was ill-nurtured, + Early rocked in stupid cradles, + By a nurse of many follies, + By a minister of evil. + To his work went Kullerwoinen, + Strove to make his labors worthy; + First, Kullervo went a-fishing, + Set his fishing-nets in ocean; + With his hands upon the row-locks, + Kullerwoinen spake as follows: + "Shall I pull with all my forces, + Pull with strength of youthful heroes, + Or with weakness of the aged?" + From the stern arose a gray-beard, + And he answered thus Kullervo: + "Pull with all thy youthful vigor; + Shouldst thou row with magic power, + Thou couldst not destroy this vessel, + Couldst not row this boat to fragments." + Thereupon the youth, Kullervo, + Rowed with all his youthful vigor, + With the mighty force of magic, + Rowed the bindings from the vessel, + Ribs of juniper he shattered, + Rowed the aspen-oars to pieces. + When the aged sire, Kalervo, + Saw the work of Kullerwoinen, + He addressed his son as follows: + "Dost not understand the rowing; + Thou hast burst the bands asunder, + Bands of juniper and willow, + Rowed my aspen-boat to pieces; + To the fish-nets drive the salmon, + This, perchance, will suit thee better." + Thereupon the son, Kullervo, + Hastened to his work as bidden, + Drove the salmon to the fish-nets, + Spake in innocence as follows: + "Shall I with my youthful vigor + Scare the salmon to the fish-nets, + Or with little magic vigor + Shall I drive them to their capture? + Spake the master of the fish-nets: + "That would be but work of women, + Shouldst thou use but little power + In the frighting of the salmon!" + Kullerwoinen does as bidden, + Scares the salmon with the forces + Of his mighty arms and shoulders, + With the strength of youth and magic, + Stirs the water thick with black-earth, + Beats the scare-net into pieces, + Into pulp he beats the salmon. + When the aged sire, Kalervo, + Saw the work of Kullerwoinen, + To his son these words he uttered: + "Dost not understand this labor, + For this work thou art not suited, + Canst not scare the perch and salmon + To the fish-nets of thy father; + Thou hast ruined all my fish-nets, + Torn my scare-net into tatters, + Beaten into pulp the whiting, + Torn my net-props into fragments, + Beaten into bits my wedges. + Leave the fishing to another; + See if thou canst pay the tribute, + Pay my yearly contribution; + See if thou canst better travel, + On the way show better judgment!" + Thereupon the son, Kullervo, + Hapless youth in purple vestments, + In his magic shoes of deer-skin, + In his locks of golden color, + Sallied forth to pay the taxes, + Pay the tribute for his people. + When the youth had paid the tribute, + Paid the yearly contribution, + He returned to join the snow-sledge, + Took his place upon the cross-bench, + Snapped his whip above the courser, + And began his journey homeward; + Rattled on along the highway, + Measured as he galloped onward + Wainamoinen's hills and valleys, + And his fields in cultivation. + Came a golden maid to meet him, + On her snow-shoes came a virgin, + O'er the hills of Wainamoinen, + O'er his cultivated lowlands. + Quick the wizard-son, Kullervo, + Checked the motion of his racer, + Thus addressed the charming maiden + "Come, sweet maiden, to my snow-sledge, + In my fur-robes rest and linger!" + As she ran, the maiden answered: + "Let the Death-maid sit beside thee, + Rest and linger in thy fur-robes!" + Thereupon the youth, Kullervo, + Snapped his whip above the courser; + Fleet as wind he gallops homeward, + Dashes down along the highway; + With the roar of falling waters, + Gallops onward, onward, onward, + O'er the broad-back of the ocean, + O'er the icy plains of Lapland. + Comes a winsome maid to meet him, + Golden-haired, and wearing snow-shoes, + On the far outstretching ice-plains; + Quick the wizard checks his racer, + Charmingly accosts the maiden, + Chanting carefully these measures: + "Come, thou beauty, to my snow-sledge, + Hither come, and rest, and linger! + Tauntingly the maiden answered: + "Take Tuoni to thy snow-sledge, + At thy side let Manalainen + Sit with thee, and rest, and linger!" + Quick the wizard, Kullerwoinen, + Struck his fiery, prancing racer, + With the birch-whip of his father. + Like the lightning flew the fleet-foot, + Galloped on the highway homeward; + O'er the hills the snow-sledge bounded, + And the coming mountains trembled. + Kullerwoinen, wild magician, + Measures, on his journey homeward, + Northland's far-extending borders, + And the fertile plains of Pohya. + Comes a beauteous maid to meet him, + With a tin-pin on her bosom, + On the heather of Pohyola, + O'er the Pohya-hills and moorlands. + Quick the wizard son, Kullervo, + Holds the bridle of his courser, + Charmingly intones these measures: + "Come, fair maiden, to my snow-sledge, + In these fur-robes rest, and linger; + Eat with me the golden apples, + Eat the hazel-nut in joyance, + Drink with me the beer delicious, + Eat the dainties that I give thee." + This the answer of the maiden + With the tin-pin on her bosom: + "I have scorn to give thy snow-sledge, + Scorn for thee, thou wicked wizard; + Cold is it beneath thy fur-robes, + And thy sledge is chill and cheerless. + Thereupon the youth, Kullervo, + Wicked wizard of the Northland, + Drew the maiden to his snow-sledge, + Drew her to a seat beside him, + Quickly in his furs enwrapped her; + And the tin-adorned made answer, + These the accents of the maiden: + "Loose me from thy magic power, + Let me leave at once thy presence, + Lest I speak in wicked accents, + Lest I say the prayer of evil; + Free me now as I command thee, + Or I'll tear thy sledge to pieces, + Throw these fur-robes to the north-winds." + Straightway wicked Kullerwoinen, + Evil wizard and magician, + Opens all his treasure-boxes, + Shows the maiden gold and silver, + Shows her silken wraps of beauty, + Silken hose with golden borders, + Golden belts with silver buckles, + Jewelry that dims the vision, + Blunts the conscience of the virgin. + Silver leads one to destruction, + Gold entices from uprightness. + Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard, + Flatters lovingly the maiden, + One hand on the reins of leather, + One upon the maiden's shoulder; + Thus they journey through the evening, + Pass the night in merry-making. + When the day-star led the morning, + When the second day was dawning, + Then the maid addressed Kullervo, + Questioned thus the wicked wizard: + "Of what tribe art thou descended, + Of what race thy hero-father? + Tell thy lineage and kindred.` + This, Kullervo's truthful answer: + "Am not from a mighty nation, + Not the greatest, nor the smallest, + But my lineage is worthy: + Am Kalervo's son of folly, + Am a child of contradictions, + Hapless son of cold misfortune. + Tell me of thy race of heroes, + Tell thine origin and kindred." + This the answer of the maiden: + "Came not from a race primeval, + Not the largest, nor the smallest, + But my lineage is worthy; + Am Kalervo's wretched daughter, + Am his long-lost child of error, + Am a maid of contradictions, + Hapless daughter of misfortune. + "When a child I lived in plenty + In the dwellings of my mother; + To the woods I went for berries, + Went for raspberries to uplands, + Gathered strawberries on mountains, + Gathered one day then a second; + But, alas! upon the third day, + Could not find the pathway homeward, + Forestward the highways led me, + All the footpaths, to the woodlands. + Long I sat in bitter weeping, + Wept one day and then a second, + Wept the third from morn till even. + Then I climbed a. lofty mountain, + There I called in wailing accents, + And the woodlands gave this answer, + Thus the distant hills re-echoed: + 'Call no longer, foolish virgin, + All thy calls and tears are useless; + There is none to give thee answer, + Far away, thy home and people.' + "On the third and on the fourth days, + On the fifth, and sixth, and seventh, + Constantly I sought to perish; + But in vain were all my efforts, + Could not die upon the mountains. + If this wretched maid had perished, + In the summer of the third year, + She had fed earth's vegetation, + She had blossomed as a flower, + Knowing neither pain nor sorrow." + Scarcely had the maiden spoken, + When she bounded from the snow-sledge, + Rushed upon the rolling river, + To the cataract's commotion, + To the fiery stream and whirlpool. + Thus Kullervo's lovely sister + Hastened to her own destruction, + To her death by fire and water, + Found her peace in Tuonela, + In the sacred stream of Mana. + Then the wicked Kullerwoinen + Fell to weeping, sorely troubled, + Wailed, and wept, and heavy-hearted, + Spake these words in bitter sorrow: + "Woe is me, my life hard-fated! + I have slain my virgin-sister, + Shamed the daughter of my mother; + Woe to thee, my ancient father! + Woe to thee, my gray-haired mother! + Wherefore was I born and nurtured, + Why this hapless child's existence? + Better fate to Kullerwoinen, + Had he never seen the daylight, + Or, if born, had never thriven + In these mournful days of evil! + Death has failed to do his duty, + Sickness sinned in passing by me, + Should have slain me in the cradle, + When the seventh day had ended!" + Thereupon he slips the collar + Of his prancing royal racer, + Mounts the silver-headed fleet-foot, + Gallops like the lightning homeward; + Gallops only for a moment, + When he halts his foaming courser + At the cabin of his father. + In the court-yard stood the mother, + Thus the wicked son addressed her: + "Faithful mother, fond and tender, + Hadst thou slain me when an infant, + Smoked my life out in the chamber, + In a winding-sheet hadst thrown me + To the cataract and whirlpool, + In the fire hadst set my cradle, + After seven nights had ended, + Worthy would have been thy service. + Had the village-maidens asked thee: + 'Where is now the little cradle, + Wherefore is the bath-room empty?' + This had been a worthy answer: + 'I have burned the wizard's cradle, + Cast the infant to the fire-dogs; + In the bath-room corn is sprouting, + From the barley malt is brewing.'" + Thereupon the aged mother + Asks her wizard-son these questions: + "What has happened to my hero, + What new fate has overcome thee? + Comest thou as from Tuoni, + From the castles of Manala?" + This, Kullervo's frank confession: + "Infamous the tale I bring thee, + My confession is dishonor: + On the way I met a maiden, + Met thy long-lost, wayward daughter, + Did not recognize my sister, + Fatal was the sin committed! + When the taxes had been settled, + When the tribute had been gathered, + Came a matchless maid to meet me, + Whom I witless led to sorrow, + This my mother's long-lost daughter. + When she saw in me her brother, + Quick she bounded from the snow-sledge, + Hastened to the roaring waters, + To the cataract's commotion, + To the fiery stream and whirlpool, + Hastened to her full destruction. + "Now, alas! must I determine, + Now must find a spot befitting, + Where thy sinful son may perish; + Tell me, all-forgiving mother, + Where to end my life of trouble; + Let me stop the black-wolf's howling, + Let me satisfy the hunger + Of the vicious bear of Northland; + Let the shark or hungry sea-dog + Be my dwelling-place hereafter!" + This the answer of the mother: + "Do not go to stop the howling + Of the hungry wolf of Northland; + Do not haste to still the black-bear + Growling in his forest-cavern; + Let not shark, nor vicious sea-dog + Be thy dwelling-place hereafter. + Spacious are the rooms of Suomi, + Limitless the Sawa-borders, + Large enough to hide transgression, + Man's misdeeds to hide for ages, + With his sins and evil actions. + Six long years man's sins lie hidden + In the border-land of Kalma, + Even nine for magic heroes, + Till the years bring consolation, + Till they quiet all his mourning." + Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard, + Answers thus his grieving mother: + "I can never hide from sorrow, + Cannot flee from my misconduct; + To the jaws of death I hasten, + To the open courts of Kalma, + To the hunting-grounds of Pohya, + To the battle-fields of heroes. + Untamoinen still is living, + Unmolested roams the wicked, + Unavenged my father's grievance, + Unavenged my mother's tortures, + Unavenged the wrongs I suffer!" + + + + +RUNE XXXVI. + + + + KULLERWOINEN'S VICTORY AND DEATH. + + + Kullerwionen, wicked wizard, + In his purple-colored stockings, + Now prepares himself for battle; + Grinds a long time on his broadsword, + Sharpens well his trusty weapon, + And his mother speaks as follows: + "Do not go, my son beloved, + Go not to the wars, my hero, + Struggle not with hostile spearsmen. + Whoso goes to war for nothing, + Undertakes a fearful combat, + Undertakes a fatal issue; + Those that war without a reason + Will be slaughtered for their folly, + Easy prey to bows and arrows. + Go thou with a goat to battle, + Shouldst thou go to fight the roebuck, + 'Tis the goat that will be vanquished, + And the roebuck will be slaughtered; + With a frog thou'lt journey homeward, + Victor, with but little honor!" + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Shall not journey through the marshes, + Shall not sink upon the heather, + On the home-land of the raven, + Where the eagles scream at day-break. + When I yield my life forever, + Bravely will I fall in battle, + Fall upon the field of glory, + Beautiful to die in armor, + And the clang and clash of armies, + Beautiful the strife for conquest! + Thus Kullervo soon will hasten + To the kingdom of Tuoni, + To the realm of the departed, + Undeformed by wasting sickness." + This the answer of the mother: + "If thou diest in the conflict, + Who will stay to guard thy father, + Who will give thy sire protection?" + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Let him die upon the court-yard, + Sleeping out his life of sorrow!" + "Who then will protect thy mother, + Be her shield in times of danger?" + "Let her die within the stable, + Or the cabin where she lingers!" + "Who then will defend thy brother, + Give him aid in times of trouble?" + "Let him die within the forest, + Sleep his life away unheeded!" + "Who will comfort then thy sister, + Who will aid her in affliction?" + "Let her sink beneath the waters, + Perish in the crystal fountain, + Where the brook flows on in beauty, + Like a silver serpent winding + Through the valley to the ocean!" + Thereupon the wild Kullervo + Hastens from his home to battle, + To his father speaks, departing: + "Fare thou well, my aged father! + Wilt thou weep for me, thy hero, + When thou hearest I have perished, + Fallen from thy tribe forever, + Perished on the field of glory?" + Thus the father speaks in answer: + "I shall never mourn the downfall + Of my evil son, Kullervo; + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + Shall beget a second hero + That will do me better service, + That will think and act in wisdom." + Kullerwoinen gives this answer: + "Neither shall I mourn thy downfall, + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + I shall make a second father, + Make the head from loam and sandstone, + Make the eyes from swamp-land berries, + Make the beard from withered sea-grass, + Make the feet from roots of willow, + Make the form from birch-wood fungus." + Thereupon the youth, Kullervo, + To his brother speaks as follows: + "Fare thou well, beloved brother! + Wilt thou weep for me departed, + Shouldst thou hear that I have perished, + Fallen on the field of battle?" + This the answer of the brother: + "I shall never mourn the downfall + Of my brother, Kullerwoinen, + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + I shall find a second brother; + Find one worthier and wiser!" + This is Kullerwoinen's answer: + "Neither shall I mourn thy downfall, + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + I shall form a second brother, + Make the head from dust and ashes, + Make the eyes from pearls of ocean, + Make the beard from withered verdure, + Make the form from pulp of birch-wood." + To his sister speaks Kullervo: + "Fare thou well, beloved sister! + Surely thou wilt mourn my downfall, + Weep for me when I have perished, + When thou hearest I have fallen + In the heat and din of battle, + Fallen from thy race forever!" + But the sister makes this answer: + "Never shall I mourn thy downfall, + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + I shall seek a second brother, + Seek a brother, purer, better, + One that will not shame his sister!" + Kullerwoinen thus makes answer: + "Neither shall I mourn thee fallen, + Shall not weep when thou hast perished; + I shall form a second sister, + Make the head from whitened marble, + Make the eyes from golden moonbeams, + Make the tresses from the rainbow, + Make the ears from ocean-flowers, + And her form from gold and silver. + "Fare thou well, beloved mother, + Mother, beautiful and faithful! + Wilt thou weep when I have perished, + Fallen on the field of glory, + Fallen from thy race forever?" + Thus the mother speaks in answer: + "Canst not fathom love maternal, + Canst not smother her affection; + Bitterly I'll mourn thy downfall, + I would weep if thou shouldst perish, + Shouldst thou leave my race forever; + I would weep in court or cabin, + Sprinkle all these fields with tear-drops, + Weep great rivers to the ocean, + Weep to melt the snows of Northland, + Make the hillocks green with weeping, + Weep at morning, weep at evening, + Weep three years in bitter sorrow + O'er the death of Kullerwoinen!" + Thereupon the wicked wizard + Went rejoicing to the combat; + In delight to war he hastened + O'er the fields, and fens, and fallows, + Shouting loudly on the heather, + Singing o'er the hills and mountains, + Rushing through the glens and forests, + Blowing war upon his bugle. + Time had gone but little distance, + When a messenger appearing, + Spake these words to Kullerwoinen: + "Lo! thine aged sire has perished, + Fallen from thy race forever; + Hasten home and do him honor, + Lay him in the lap of Kalma." + Kullerwoinen inade this answer: + "Has my aged father perished, + There is home a sable stallion + That will take him to his slumber, + Lay him in the lap of Kalma." + Then Kullervo journeyed onward, + Calling war upon his bugle, + Till a messenger appearing, + Brought this word to Kullerwoinen: + "Lo! thy brother too has perished, + Dead he lies within the forest, + Manalainen's trumpet called him; + Home return and do him honor, + Lay him in the lap of Kalma." + Kullerwoinen thus replying: + "Has my hero-brother perished, + There is home a sable stallion + That will take him' to his slumber, + Lay him in the lap of Kalma." + Young Kullervo journeyed onward + Over vale and over mountain, + Playing on his reed of battle, + Till a messenger appearing + Brought the warrior these tidings: + "Lo! thy sister too has perished, + Perished in the crystal fountain, + Where the waters flow in beauty, + Like a silver serpent winding + Through the valley to the ocean; + Home return and do her honor, + Lay her in the lap of Kalma." + These the words of Kullerwoinen: + "Has my beauteous sister perished, + Fallen from my race forever, + There is home a sable filly + That will take her to her resting, + Lay her in the lap of Kalma." + Still Kullervo journeyed onward, + Through the fens he went rejoicing, + Sounding war upon his bugle, + Till a messenger appearing + Brought to him these words of sorrow: + "Lo! thy mother too has perished, + Died in anguish, broken-hearted; + Home return and do her honor, + Lay her in the lap of Kalma." + These the measures of Kullervo: + "Woe is me, my life hard-fated, + That my mother too has perished, + She that nursed me in my cradle, + Made my couch a golden cover, + Twirled for me the spool and spindle! + Lo! Kullervo was not present + When his mother's life departed; + May have died upon the mountains, + Perished there from cold and hunger. + Lave the dead form of my mother + In the crystal waters flowing; + Wrap her in the robes of ermine, + Tie her hands with silken ribbon, + Take her to the grave of ages, + Lay her in the lap of Kalma. + Bury her with songs of mourning, + Let the singers chant my sorrow; + Cannot leave the fields of battle + While Untamo goes unpunished, + Fell destroyer of my people." + Kullerwoinen journeyed onward, + Still rejoicing, to the combat, + Sang these songs in supplication: + "Ukko, mightiest of rulers, + Loan to me thy sword of battle, + Grant to me thy matchless weapon, + And against a thousand armies + I will war and ever conquer." + Ukko, gave the youth his broadsword, + Gave his blade of magic powers + To the wizard, Kullerwoinen. + Thus equipped, the mighty hero + Slew the people of Untamo, + Burned their villages to ashes; + Only left the stones and ovens, + And the chimneys of their hamlets. + Then the conqueror, Kullervo, + Turned his footsteps to his home-land, + To the cabin of his father; + To his ancient fields and forests. + Empty did he find the cabin, + And the forests were deserted; + No one came to give him greeting, + None to give the hand of welcome; + Laid his fingers on the oven, + But he found it cold and lifeless; + Then he knew to satisfaction + That his mother lived no longer; + Laid his hand upon the fire-place, + Cold and lifeless were the hearth-stones; + Then he knew to satisfaction + That his sister too had perished; + Then he sought the landing-places, + Found no boats upon the rollers; + Then he knew to satisfaction + That his brother too had perished; + Then he looked upon the fish-nets, + And he found them torn and tangled; + And he knew to satisfaction + That his father too had perished. + Bitterly he wept and murmured, + Wept one day, and then a second, + On the third day spake as follows: + "Faithful mother, fond and tender, + Why hast left me here to sorrow + In this wilderness of trouble? + But thou dost not hear my calling, + Though I sing in magic accents, + Though my tear-drops speak lamenting, + Though my heart bemoans thine absence. + From her grave awakes the mother, + To Kullervo speaks these measures: + "Thou has still the dog remaining, + He will lead thee to the forest; + Follow thou the faithful watcher, + Let him lead thee to the woodlands, + To the farthest woodland border, + To the caverns of the wood-nymphs; + Kullerwoinen's Victory and Death + There the forest maidens linger, + They will give thee food and shelter, + Give my hero joyful greetings." + Kullerwoinen, with his watch-dog, + Hastens onward through the forest, + Journeys on through fields and fallows; + Journeys but a little distance, + Till he comes upon the summit + Where he met his long-lost sister; + Finds the turf itself is weeping, + Finds the glen-wood filled with sorrow, + Finds the heather shedding tear-drops, + Weeping are the meadow-flowers, + O'er the ruin of his sister. + Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard, + Grasps the handle of his broadsword, + Asks the blade this simple question: + "Tell me, O my blade of honor, + Dost thou wish to drink my life-blood, + Drink the blood of Kullerwoinen?" + Thus his trusty sword makes answer, + Well divining his intentions: + Why should I not drink thy life-blood, + Blood of guilty Kullerwoinen, + Since I feast upon the worthy, + Drink the life-blood of the righteous?" + Thereupon the youth, Kullervo, + Wicked wizard of the Northland, + Lifts the mighty sword of Ukko, + Bids adieu to earth and heaven; + Firmly thrusts the hilt in heather, + To his heart he points the weapon, + Throws his weight upon his broadsword, + Pouring out his wicked life-blood, + Ere be journeys to Manala. + Thus the wizard finds destruction, + This the end of Kullerwoinen, + Born in sin, and nursed in folly. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + As he hears the joyful tidings, + Learns the death of fell Kullervo, + Speaks these words of ancient wisdom: + "O, ye many unborn nations, + Never evil nurse your children, + Never give them out to strangers, + Never trust them to the foolish! + If the child is not well nurtured, + Is not rocked and led uprightly, + Though he grow to years of manhood, + Bear a strong and shapely body, + He will never know discretion, + Never eat. the bread of honor, + Never drink the cup of wisdom." + + + + +RUNE XXXVII. + + + + ILMARINEN'S BRIDE OF GOLD. + + + Ilmarinen, metal-worker, + Wept one day, and then a second, + Wept the third from morn till evening, + O'er the death of his companion, + Once the Maiden of the Rainbow; + Did not swing his heavy hammer, + Did not touch its copper handle, + Made no sound within his smithy, + Made no blow upon his anvil, + Till three months had circled over; + Then the blacksmith spake as follows: + "Woe is me, unhappy hero! + Do not know how I can prosper; + Long the days, and cold, and dreary, + Longer still the nights, and colder; + I am weary in the evening, + In the morning still am weary, + Have no longing for the morning, + And the evening is unwelcome; + Have no pleasure in the future, + All my pleasures gone forever, + With my faithful life-companion + Slaughtered by the hand of witchcraft! + Often will my heart-strings quiver + When I rest within my chamber, + When I wake at dreamy midnight, + Half-unconscious, vainly searching + For my noble wife departed." + Wifeless lived the mourning blacksmith, + Altered in his form and features; + Wept one month and then another, + Wept three months in full succession. + Then the magic metal-worker + Gathered gold from deeps of ocean, + Gathered silver from the mountains, + Gathered many heaps of birch-wood. + Filled with faggots thirty sledges, + Burned the birch-wood into ashes, + Put the ashes in the furnace, + Laid the gold upon the embers, + Lengthwise laid a piece of silver + Of the size of lambs in autumn, + Or the fleet-foot hare in winter; + Places servants at the bellows, + Thus to melt the magic metals. + Eagerly the servants labor, + Gloveless, hatless, do the workmen + Fan the flames within the furnace. + Ilmarinen, magic blacksmith, + Works unceasing at his forging, + Thus to mould a golden image, + Mould a bride from gold and silver; + But the workmen fail their master, + Faithless stand they at the bellows. + Wow the artist, Ilmarinen, + Fans the flame with force of magic, + Blows one day, and then a second, + Blows the third from morn till even; + Then he looks within the furnace, + Looks around the oven-border, + Hoping there to see an image + Rising from the molten metals. + Comes a lambkin from the furnace, + Rising from the fire of magic, + Wearing hair of gold and copper, + Laced with many threads of silver; + All rejoice but Ilmarinen + At the beauty of the image. + This the language of the blacksmith: + "May the wolf admire thy graces; + I desire a bride of beauty + Born from molten gold and silver!" + Ilmarinen, the magician, + To the furnace threw the lambkin; + Added gold in great abundance, + And increased the mass of silver, + Added other magic metals, + Set the workmen at the bellows; + Zealously the servants labor, + Gloveless, hatless, do the workmen + Fan the flames within the furnace. + Ilmarinen, wizard-forgeman, + Works unceasing with his metals, + Moulding well a golden image, + Wife of molten gold and silver; + But the workmen fail their master, + Faithless do they ply the bellows. + Now the artist, Ilmarinen, + Fans the flames by force of magic; + Blows one day, and then a second, + Blows a third from morn till evening, + When he looks within the furnace, + Looks around the oven-border, + Hoping there, to see an image + Rising from the molten metals. + From the flames a colt arises, + Golden-maned and silver-headed, + Hoofs are formed of shining copper. + All rejoice but Ilmarinen + At the wonderful creation; + This the language of the blacksmith; + "Let the bears admire thy graces; + I desire a bride of beauty + Born of many magic metals." + Thereupon the wonder-forger + Drives the colt back to the furnace, + Adds a greater mass of silver, + And of gold the rightful measure, + Sets the workmen at the bellows. + Eagerly the servants labor, + Gloveless, hatless, do the workmen + Fan the flames within the furnace. + Ilmarinen, the magician, + Works unceasing at his witchcraft, + Moulding well a golden maiden, + Bride of molten gold and silver; + But the workmen fail their master, + Faithlessly they ply the bellows. + Now the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Fans the flames with magic powers, + Blows one day, and then a second, + Blows a third from morn till even; + Then he looks within his furnace, + Looks around the oven-border, + Trusting there to see a maiden + Coming from the molten metals. + From the fire a virgin rises, + Golden-haired and silver-headed, + Beautiful in form and feature. + All are filled with awe and wonder, + But the artist and magician. + Ilmarinen, metal-worker, + Forges nights and days unceasing, + On the bride of his creation; + Feet he forges for the maiden, + Hands and arms, of gold and silver; + But her feet are not for walking, + Neither can her arms embrace him. + Ears he forges for the virgin, + But her ears are not for hearing; + Forges her a mouth of beauty, + Eyes he forges bright and sparkling; + But the magic mouth is speechless, + And the eyes are not for seeing. + Spake the artist, Ilmarinen: + "This, indeed, a priceless maiden, + Could she only speak in wisdom, + Could she breathe the breath of Ukko!" + Thereupon he lays the virgin + On his silken couch of slumber, + On his downy place of resting. + Ilmarinen heats his bath-room, + Makes it ready for his service, + Binds together silken brushes, + Brings three cans of crystal water, + Wherewithal to lave the image, + Lave the golden maid of beauty. + When this task had been completed, + Ilmarinen, hoping, trusting, + Laid his golden bride to slumber, + On his downy couch of resting; + Ordered many silken wrappings, + Ordered bear-skins, three in number, + Ordered seven lambs-wool blankets, + Thus to keep him warm in slumber, + Sleeping by the golden image + Re had forged from magic metals. + Warm the side of Ilmarinen + That was wrapped in furs and blankets; + Chill the parts beside the maiden, + By his bride of gold and silver; + One side warm, the other lifeless, + Turning into ice from coldness. + Spake the artist, Ilmarinen: + "Not for me was born this virgin + From the magic molten metals; + I shall take her to Wainola, + Give her to old Wainamoinen, + As a bride and life-companion, + Comfort to him in his dotage." + Ilmarinen, much disheartened, + Takes the virgin to Wainola, + To the plains of Kalevala, + To his brother speaks as follows: + "O, thou ancient Wainamoinen, + Look with favor on this image; + Make the maiden fair and lovely, + Beautiful in form and feature, + Suited to thy years declining!" + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Looked in wonder on the virgin, + On the golden bride of beauty, + Spake these words to Ilmarinen: + "Wherefore dost thou bring this maiden, + Wherefore bring to Wainamoinen + Bride of molten gold and silver? + Spake in answer Ilmarinen: + "Wherefore should I bring this image, + But for purposes the noblest? + I have brought her as companion + To thy life in years declining, + As a joy and consolation, + When thy days are full of trouble!" + Spake the good, old Wainamoinen: + "Magic brother, wonder-forger, + Throw the virgin to the furnace, + To the flames, thy golden image, + Forge from her a thousand trinkets. + Take the image into Ehstland, + Take her to the plains of Pohya, + That for her the mighty powers + May engage in deadly contest, + Worthy trophy for the victor; + Not for me this bride of wonder, + Neither for my worthy people. + I shall never wed an image + Born from many magic metals, + Never wed a silver maiden, + Never wed a golden virgin." + Then the hero of the waters + Called together all his people, + Spake these words of ancient wisdom: + "Every child of Northland, listen, + Whether poor, or fortune-favored: + Never bow before an image + Born of molten gold and silver: + Never while the sunlight brightens, + Never while the moonlight glimmers, + Choose a maiden of the metals, + Choose a bride from gold created + Cold the lips of golden maiden, + Silver breathes the breath of sorrow." + + + + +RUNE XXXVIII. + + + + ILMARINEN'S FRUITLESS WOOING. + + + Ilmarinen, the magician, + The eternal metal-artist, + Lays aside the golden image, + Beauteous maid of magic metals; + Throws the harness on his courser, + Binds him to his sledge of birch-wood, + Seats himself upon the cross-bench, + Snaps the whip above the racer, + Thinking once again to journey + To the mansions of Pohyola, + There to woo a bride in honor, + Second daughter of the Northland. + On he journeyed, restless, northward, + Journeyed one day, then a second, + So the third from morn till evening, + When he reached a Northland-village + On the plains of Sariola. + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Standing in the open court-yard, + Spied the hero, Ilmarinen, + Thus addressed the metal-worker: + "Tell me how my child is living, + How the Bride of Beauty prospers, + As a daughter to thy mother." + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Head bent down and brow dejected, + Thus addressed the Northland hostess: + "O, thou dame of Sariola, + Do not ask me of thy daughter, + Since, alas I in Tuonela + Sleeps the Maiden of the Rainbow, + Sleeps in death the Bride, of Beauty, + Underneath the fragrant heather, + In the kingdom of Manala. + Come I for a second daughter, + For the fairest of thy virgins. + Beauteous hostess of Pohyola, + Give to me thy youngest maiden, + For my former wife's compartments, + For the chambers of her sister." + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Spake these words to Ilmarinen: + "Foolish was the Northland-hostess, + When she gave her fairest virgin, + In the bloom of youth and beauty + To the blacksmith of Wainola, + Only to be led to Mana, + Like a lambkin to the slaughter! + I shall never give my daughter, + Shall not give my youngest maiden + Bride of thine to be hereafter, + Life-companion at thy fireside. + Sooner would I give the fair one + To the cataract and whirlpool, + To the river of Manala, + To the waters of Tuoni!" + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Drew away his head, disdainful, + Shook his sable locks in anger, + Entered to the inner court-room, + Where the maiden sat in waiting, + Spake these measures to the daughter: + "Come with me, thou bright-eyed maiden, + To the cottage where thy sister + Lived and lingered in contentment, + Baked for me the toothsome biscuit, + Brewed for me the beer of barley, + Kept my dwelling-place in order." + On the floor a babe was lying, + Thus he sang to Ilmarinen: + "Uninvited, leave this mansion, + Go, thou stranger, from this dwelling; + Once before thou camest hither, + Only bringing pain and trouble, + Filling all our hearts with sorrow. + Fairest daughter of my mother, + Do not give this suitor welcome, + Look not on his eyes with pleasure, + Nor admire his form and features. + In his mouth are only wolf-teeth, + Cunning fox-claws in his mittens, + In his shoes art only bear-claws, + In his belt a hungry dagger; + Weapons these of blood and murder, + Only worn by the unworthy." + Then the daughter spake as follows + To the blacksmith, Ilmarinen: + "Follow thee this maid will never, + Never heed unworthy suitors; + Thou hast slain the Bride of Beauty, + Once the Maiden of the Rainbow, + Thou wouldst also slay her sister. + I deserve a better suitor, + Wish a truer, nobler husband, + Wish to ride in richer sledges, + Have a better home-protection; + Never will I sweep the cottage + And the coal-place of a blacksmith." + Then the hero, Ilmarinen, + The eternal metal-artist, + Turned his head away, disdainful, + Shook his sable locks in anger, + Quickly seized the trembling maiden, + Held her in his grasp of iron, + Hastened from the court of Louhi + To his sledge upon the highway. + In his sleigh he seats the virgin, + Snugly wraps her in his far-robes, + Snaps his whip above the racer, + Gallops on the high-road homeward; + With one hand the reins be tightens, + With the other holds the maiden. + Speaks the virgin-daughter, weeping: + We have reached the lowland-berries, + Here the herbs of water-borders; + Leave me here to sink and perish + As a child of cold misfortune. + Wicked Ilmarinen, listen! + If thou dost not quickly free me, + I will break thy sledge to pieces, + Throw thy fur-robes to the north-winds." + Ilmarinen makes this answer: + "When the blacksmith builds his snow-sledge, + All the parts are hooped with iron; + Therefore will the beauteous maiden + Never beat my sledge to fragments." + Then the silver-tinselled daughter + Wept and wailed in bitter accents, + Wrung her hands in desperation, + Spake again to Ilmarinen: + "If thou dost not quickly free me, + I shall change to ocean-salmon, + Be a whiting of the waters." + "Thou wilt never thus escape me, + As a pike I'll fleetly follow." + Then the maiden of Pohyola + Wept and wailed in bitter accents, + Wrung her hands in desperation, + Spake again to Ilmarinen; + "If thou dost not quickly free me, + I shall hasten to the forest, + Mid the rocks become an ermine!" + "Thou wilt never thus escape me, + As a serpent I will follow." + Then the beauty of the Northland, + Wailed and wept in bitter accents, + Wrung her hands in desperation, + Spake once more to Ilmarinen: + "Surely, if thou dost not free me, + As a lark I'll fly the ether, + Hide myself within the storm-clouds." + "Neither wilt thou thus escape me, + As an eagle I will follow." + They had gone but little distance, + When the courser shied and halted, + Frighted at some passing object; + And the maiden looked in wonder, + In the snow beheld some foot-prints, + Spake these words to Ilmarinen: + Who has run across our highway?" + "'Tis the timid hare", he answered. + Thereupon the stolen maiden + Sobbed, and moaned, in deeps of sorrow, + Heavy-hearted, spake these measures: + "Woe is me, ill-fated virgin! + Happier far my life hereafter, + If the hare I could but follow + To his burrow in the woodlands! + Crook-leg's fur to me is finer + Than the robes of Ilmarinen." + Ilmarinen, the magician, + Tossed his head in full resentment, + Galloped on the highway homeward, + Travelled but a little distance, + When again his courser halted, + Frighted at some passing stranger. + Quick the maiden looked and wondered, + In the snow beheld some foot-prints, + Spake these measures to the blacksmith: + Who has crossed our snowy pathway?" + "'Tis a fox", replied the minstrel. + Thereupon the beauteous virgin + Moaned again in depths of anguish, + Sang these accents, heavy-hearted: + "Woe is me, ill-fated maiden! + Happier far my life hereafter, + With the cunning fox to wander, + Than with this ill-mannered suitor; + Reynard's fur to me is finer + Than the robes of Ilmarinen." + Thereupon the metal-worker + Shut his lips in sore displeasure, + Hastened on the highway homeward; + Travelled but a little distance, + When again his courser halted. + Quick the maiden looked in wonder, + in the snow beheld some foot-prints, + Spake these words to the magician: + Who again has crossed our pathway?" + "'Tis the wolf", said Ilmarinen. + Thereupon the fated daughter + Fell again to bitter weeping, + And Intoned these words of sorrow: + "Woe is me, a hapless maiden! + Happier far my life hereafter, + Brighter far would be my future, + If these tracks I could but follow; + On the wolf the hair is finer + Than the furs of Ilmarinen, + Faithless suitor of the Northland." + Then the minstrel of Wainola + Closed his lips again in anger, + Shook his sable locks, resentful, + Snapped the whip above the racer, + And the steed flew onward swiftly, + O'er the way to Kalevala, + To the village of the blacksmith. + Sad and weary from his journey, + Ilmarinen, home-returning, + Fell upon his couch in slumber, + And the maiden laughed derision. + In the morning, slowly waking, + Head confused, and locks dishevelled, + Spake the wizard, words as follow: + "Shall I set myself to singing + Magic songs and incantations? + Shall I now enchant this maiden + To a black-wolf on the mountains, + To a salmon of the ocean? + Shall not send her to the woodlands, + All the forest would be frighted; + Shall not send her to the waters, + All the fish would flee in terror; + This my sword shall drink her life-blood, + End her reign of scorn and hatred." + Quick the sword feels his intention, + Quick divines his evil purpose, + Speaks these words to Ilmarinen: + "Was not born to drink the life-blood + Of a maiden pure and lovely, + Of a fair but helpless virgin." + Thereupon the magic minstrel, + Filled with rage, began his singing; + Sang the very rocks asunder, + Till the distant hills re-echoed; + Sang the maiden to a sea-gull, + Croaking from the ocean-ledges, + Calling from the ocean-islands, + Screeching on the sandy sea-coast, + Flying to the winds opposing. + When his conjuring had ended, + Ilmarinen joined his snow-sledge, + Whipped his steed upon a gallop, + Hastened to his ancient smithy, + To his home in Kalevala. + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Comes to meet him on the highway, + Speaks these words to the magician: + "Ilmarinen, worthy brother, + Wherefore comest heavy-hearted + From the dismal Sariola? + Does Pohyola live and prosper? + Spake the minstrel, Ilmarinen: + "Why should not Pohyola prosper? + There the Sampo grinds unceasing, + Noisy rocks the lid in colors; + Grinds one day the flour for eating, + Grinds the second flour for selling, + Grinds the third day flour for keeping; + Thus it is Pohyola prospers. + While the Sampo is in Northland, + There is plowing, there is sowing, + There is growth of every virtue, + There is welfare never-ending." + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Ilmarinen, artist-brother, + Where then is the Northland-daughter, + Far renowned and beauteous maiden, + For whose hand thou hast been absent? + These the words of Ilmarinen: + "I have changed the hateful virgin + To a sea-gull on the ocean; + Now she calls above the waters, + Screeches from the ocean-islands; + On the rocks she calls and murmurs + Vainly calling for a suitor." + + + + +RUNE XXXIX. + + + + WAINAMOINEN'S SAILING. + + + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Spake these words to Ilmarinen: + "O thou wonder-working brother, + Let us go to Sariola, + There to gain the magic Sampo, + There to see the lid in colors." + Ilmarinen gave this answer: + "Hard indeed to seize the Sampo, + Neither can the lid be captured + From the never-pleasant Northland, + From the dismal Sariola. + Louhi took away the Sampo, + Carried off the lid in colors + To the stone-mount of Pohyola; + Hid it in the copper mountain, + Where nine locks secure the treasure. + Many young roots sprout around it, + Grow nine fathoms deep in sand-earth, + One great root beneath the mountain, + In the cataract a second, + And a third beneath the castle + Built upon the mount of ages." + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Brother mine, and wonder-worker, + Let us go to Sariola, + That we may secure the Sampo; + Let us build a goodly vessel, + Bring the Sampo to Wainola, + Bring away the lid in colors, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + From the copper-bearing mountain. + Where the miracle lies anchored." + Ilmarinen thus made answer: + "By the land the way is safer, + Lempo travels on the ocean, + Ghastly Death upon his shoulder; + On the sea the waves will drift us, + And the storm-winds wreck our vessel; + Then our bands must do the rowing, + And our feet must steer us homeward." + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Safe indeed by land to journey, + But the way is rough and trying, + Long the road and full of turnings; + Lovely is the ship on ocean, + Beautiful to ride the billows, + Journey easy o'er the waters, + Sailing in a trusty vessel; + Should the West-wind cross our pathway, + Will the South-wind drive us northward. + Be that as it may, my brother, + Since thou dost not love the water, + By the land then let us journey. + Forge me now the sword of battle, + Forge for me the mighty fire-sword, + That I may destroy the wild-beasts, + Frighten all the Northland people, + As we journey for the Sampo + To the cold and dismal village, + To the never-pleasant Northland, + To the dismal Sariola." + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + The eternal forger-artist, + Laid the metals in the furnace, + In the fire laid steel and iron, + In the hot-coals, gold and silver, + Rightful measure of the metals; + Set the workmen at the furnace, + Lustily they plied the bellows. + Like the wax the iron melted, + Like the dough the hard steel softened, + Like the water ran the silver, + And the liquid gold flowed after. + Then the minstrel, Ilmarinen, + The eternal wonder-forger, + Looks within his magic furnace, + On the border of his oven, + There beholds the fire-sword forming, + Sees the blade with golden handle; + Takes the weapon from the furnace, + Lays it on his heavy anvil + For the falling of the hammer; + Forges well the blade of magic, + Well the heavy sword be tempers, + Ornaments the hero-weapon + With the finest gold and silver. + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Comes to view the blade of conquest, + Lifts admiringly the fire-sword, + Then these words the hero utters: + "Does the weapon match the soldier, + Does the handle suit the bearer? + Yea, the blade and hilt are molded + To the wishes of the minstrel." + On the sword-point gleams the moonlight, + On the blade the sun is shining, + On the hilt the bright stars twinkle, + On the edge a horse is neighing, + On the handle plays a kitten, + On the sheath a dog is barking. + Wainamoinen wields his fire-sword, + Tests it on the iron-mountain, + And these words the hero utters: + "With this broadsword I could quickly + Cleave in twain the mount of Pohya, + Cut the flinty rocks asunder." + Spake the blacksmith, Ilmarinen: + "Wherewith shall I guard from danger, + How protect myself from evil, + From the ills by land and water? + Shall I wear an iron armor, + Belt of steel around my body? + Stronger is a man in armor, + Safer in a mail of copper." + Now the time has come to journey + To the never-pleasant Northland; + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + And his brother, Ilmarinen, + Hasten to the field and forest, + Searching for their fiery coursers, + In each shining belt a bridle, + With a harness on their shoulders. + In the woods they find a race; + In the glen a steed of battle, + Ready for his master's service. + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + And the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Throw the harness on the courser, + Hitch him to the sledge of conquest, + Hasten on their journey Northward; + Drive along the broad-sea's margin + Till they bear some one lamenting + On the strand hear something wailing + Near the landing-place of vessels. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Speaks these words in wonder, guessing, + "This must be some maiden weeping, + Some fair daughter thus lamenting; + Let us journey somewhat nearer, + To discover whence this wailing." + Drew they nearer, nearer, nearer, + Hoping thus to find a maiden + Weeping on the sandy sea-shore. + It was not a maiden weeping, + But a vessel, sad, and lonely, + Waiting on the shore and wailing. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Why art weeping, goodly vessel, + What the cause of thy lamenting? + Art thou mourning for thy row-locks, + Is thy rigging ill-adjusted? + Dost thou weep since thou art anchored + On the shore in times of trouble?" + Thus the war-ship spake in answer: + "To the waters would this vessel + Haste upon the well-tarred rollers, + As a happy maiden journeys + To the cottage of her husband. + I, alas! a goodly vessel, + Weep because I lie at anchor, + Weep and wail because no hero + Sets me free upon the waters, + Free to ride the rolling billows. + It was said when I was fashioned, + Often sung when I was building, + That this bark should be for battle, + Should become a mighty war-ship, + Carry in my hull great treasures, + Priceless goods across the ocean. + Never have I sailed to conquest, + Never have I carried booty; + Other vessels not as worthy + To the wars are ever sailing, + Sailing to the songs of battle. + Three times in the summer season + Come they home with treasures laden, + In their hulls bring gold and silver; + I, alas! a worthy vessel, + Many months have lain at anchor, + I, a war-ship well constructed, + Am decaying in the harbor, + Never having sailed to conquest; + Worms are gnawing at my vitals, + In my hull their dwelling-places, + And ill-omened birds of heaven + Build their nests within my rigging; + Frogs and lizards of the forest + Play about my oars and rudder; + Three times better for this vessel + Were he but a valley birch-tree, + Or an aspen on the heather, + With the squirrels in his branches, + And the dogs beneath them barking!" + Wainamoinen, old and faithfull + Thus addressed the ship at anchor: + "Weep no more, thou goodly vessel, + Man-of-war, no longer murmur; + Thou shalt sail to Sariola, + Sing the war-songs of the Northland, + Sail with us to deadly combat. + Wert thou built by the Creator, + Thou canst sail the roughest waters, + Sidewise journey o'er the ocean; + Dost not need the hand to touch thee, + Dost not need the foot to turn thee, + Needing nothing to propel thee." + Thus the weeping boat made answer: + "Cannot sail without assistance, + Neither can my brother-vessels + Sail unaided o'er the waters, + Sail across the waves undriven." + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Should I lead thee to the broad-sea, + Wilt thou journey north unaided, + Sail without the help of rowers, + Sail without the aid of south-winds, + Sail without the b elm to guide thee? + Thus the wailing ship replying: + Cannot sail without assistance, + Neither can my brother-vessels + Sail without the aid of rowers, + Sail without the help of south-winds, + Nor without the helm to guide them." + These the words of Wainamoinen: + "Wilt thou run with aid of oarsmen + When the south-winds give assistance, + Guided by a skillful pilot?" + This the answer of the war-ship: + "Quickly can I course these waters, + When my oars are manned by rowers, + When my sails are filled with south-winds, + All my goodly brother-vessels + Sail the ocean with assistance, + When the master holds the rudder." + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Left the racer on the sea-side, + Tied him to the sacred birch-tree, + Hung the harness on a willow, + Rolled the vessel to the waters, + Sang the ship upon the broad-sea, + Asked the boat this simple question: + "O thou vessel, well-appearing + From the mighty oak constructed, + Art thou strong to carry treasures + As in view thou art commanding? + Thus the goodly ship made answer: + "Strong am I to carry treasures, + In my hull a golden cargo; + I can bear a hundred oarsmen, + And of warriors a thousand." + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Then began his wondrous singing. + On one side the magic vessel, + Sang he youth with golden virtues, + Bearded youth with strength of heroes, + Sang them into mail of copper. + On the other side the vessel, + Sang he silver-tinselled maidens, + Girded them with belts of copper, + Golden rings upon their fingers. + Sings again the great magician, + Fills the magic ship with heroes, + Ancient heroes, brave and mighty; + Sings them into narrow limits, + Since the young men came before them. + At the helm himself be seated, + Near the last beam of the vessel, + Steered his goodly boat in joyance, + Thus addressed the willing war-ship: + "Glide upon the trackless waters, + Sail away, my ship of magic, + Sail across the waves before thee, + Speed thou like a dancing bubble, + Like a flower upon the billows!" + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Set the young men to the rowing, + Let the maidens sit in waiting. + Eagerly the youthful heroes + Bend the oars and try the row-locks, + But the distance is not lessened. + Then the minstrel, Wainamoinen, + Set the maidens to the rowing, + Let the young men rest in waiting. + Eagerly the merry maidens + Bend the aspen-oars in rowing, + But the distance is not lessened. + Then the master, Wainamoinen, + Set the old men to the rowing, + Let the youth remain in waiting. + Lustily the aged heroes + Bend and try the oars of aspen, + But the distance is not lessened. + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Grasped the oars with master-magic, + And the boat leaped o'er the surges, + Swiftly sped across the billows; + Far and wide the oars resounded, + Quickly was the distance lessened. + With a rush and roar of waters + Ilmarinen sped his vessel, + Benches, ribs, and row-locks creaking, + Oars of aspen far resounding; + Flap the sails like wings of moor-cocks, + And the prow dips like a white-swan; + In the rear it croaks like ravens, + Loud the oars and rigging rattle. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + Sitting by the bending rudder, + Turns his magic vessel landward, + To a jutting promontory, + Where appears a Northland-village. + On the point stands Lemminkainen, + Kaukomieli, black magician, + Ahti, wizard of Wainola, + Wishing for the fish of Pohya, + Weeping for his fated dwelling, + For his perilous adventures, + Hard at work upon a vessel, + On the sail-yards of a fish-boat, + Near the hunger-point and island, + Near the village-home deserted. + Good the ears of the magician, + Good the wizard's eyes for seeing; + Casts his vision to the South-east, + Turns his eyes upon the sunset, + Sees afar a wondrous rainbow, + Farther on, a cloudlet hanging; + But the bow was a deception, + And the cloudlet a delusion; + 'Tis a vessel swiftly sailing, + 'Tis a war-ship flying northward, + O'er the blue-back of the broad-sea, + On the far-extending waters, + At the helm the master standing, + At the oars a mighty hero. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Do not know this wondrous vessel, + Not this well-constructed war-ship, + Coming from the distant Suomi, + Rowing for the hostile Pohya." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Called aloud in tones of thunder + O'er the waters to the vessel; + Made the distant hills re-echo + With the music of his calling: + "Whence this vessel on the waters, + Whose the war-ship sailing hither?" + Spake the master of the vessel + To the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Who art thou from fen or forest, + Senseless wizard from the woodlands, + That thou dost not know this vessel, + Magic war-ship of Wainola? + Dost not know him at the rudder, + Nor the hero at the row-locks?" + Spake the wizard, Lemminkainen: + "Well I know the helm-director, + And I recognize the rower; + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + At the helm directs the vessel; + Ilmarinen does the rowing. + Whither is the vessel sailing, + Whither wandering, my heroes? + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "We are sailing to the Northland, + There to gain the magic Sampo, + There to get the lid in colors, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + From the copper-bearing mountain." + Spake the evil Lemminkainen: + "O, thou good, old Wainamoinen, + Take me with thee to Pohyola, + Make me third of magic heroes, + Since thou goest for the Sampo, + Goest for the lid in colors; + I shall prove a valiant soldier, + When thy wisdom calls for fighting; + I am skilled in arts of warfare!" + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Gave assent to Ahti's wishes; + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Hastened to Wainola's war-ship, + Bringing floats of aspen-timber, + To the ships of Wainamoinen. + Thus the hero of the Northland + Speaks to reckless Lemminkainen: + "There is aspen on my vessel, + Aspen-floats in great abundance, + And the boat is heavy-laden. + Wherefore dost thou bring the aspen + To the vessel of Wainola?" + Lemminkainen gave this answer: + "Not through caution sinks a vessel, + Nor a hay-stack by its proppings; + Seas abound in hidden dangers, + Heavy storms arise and threaten + Fell destruction to the sailor + That would brave the angry billows." + Spake the good, old Wainamoinen: + "Therefore is this warlike vessel + Built of trusty steel and copper, + Trimmed and bound in toughest iron, + That the winds may, not destroy it, + May not harm my ship of magic." + + + + +RUNE XL. + + + + BIRTH OF THE HARP. + + + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Onward steered his goodly vessel, + From the isle of Lemminkainen, + From the borders of the village; + Steered his war-ship through the waters, + Sang it o'er the ocean-billows, + Joyful steered it to Pohyola. + On the banks were maidens standing, + And the daughters spake these measures: + "List the music on the waters! + What this wonderful rejoicing, + What this singing on the billows? + Far more beautiful this singing, + This rejoicing on the waters, + Than our ears have heard in Northland." + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Steered his wonder-vessel onward, + Steered one day along the sea-shore, + Steered the next through shallow waters, + Steered the third day through the rivers. + Then the reckless Lemminkainen + Suddenly some words remembered, + He had heard along the fire-stream + Near the cataract and whirlpool, + And these words the hero uttered: + "Cease, O cataract, thy roaring, + Cease, O waterfall, thy foaming! + Maidens of the foam and current, + Sitting on the rocks in water, + On the stone-blocks in the river, + Take the foam and white-capped billows + In your arms and still their anger, + That our ships may pass in safety! + Aged dame beneath the eddy, + Thou that livest in the sea-foam, + Swimming, rise above the waters, + Lift thy head above the whirlpool, + Gather well the foam and billows + In thine arms and still their fury, + That our ship may pass in safety! + Ye, O rocks beneath the current, + Underneath the angry waters, + Lower well your heads of danger, + Sink below our magic vessel, + That our ship may pass in safety! + "Should this prayer prove inefficient, + Kimmo, hero son of Kammo, + Bore an outlet with thine auger, + Cut a channel for this vessel + Through the rocks beneath the waters, + That our ship may pass in safety! + Should all this prove unavailing, + Hostess of the running water, + Change to moss these rocky ledges, + Change this vessel to an air-bag, + That between these rocks and billows + It may float, and pass in safety! + "Virgin of the sacred whirlpool, + Thou whose home is in the river, + Spin from flax of strongest fiber, + Spin a thread of crimson color, + Draw it gently through the water, + That the thread our ship may follow, + And our vessel pass in safety! + Goddess of the helm, thou daughter + Of the ocean-winds and sea-foam, + Take thy helm endowed with mercy, + Guide our vessel through these dangers, + Hasten through these floods enchanted, + Passing by the house of envy, + By the gates of the enchanters, + That our ship may pass in safety! + "Should this prayer prove inefficient, + Ukko, Ruler of creation, + Guide our vessel with thy fire-sword, + Guide it with thy blade of lightning, + Through the dangers of these rapids, + Through the cataract and whirlpool, + That our ship may pass in safety!" + Thereupon old Wainamoinen + Steered his boat through winds and waters, + Through the rocky chinks and channels, + Through the surges wildly tossing; + And the vessel passed in safety + Through the dangers of the current, + Through the sacred stream and whirlpool. + As it gains the open waters, + Gains at length the broad-lake's bosom, + Suddenly its motion ceases, + On some object firmly anchored. + Thereupon young Ilmarinen, + With the aid of Lemminkainen, + Plunges in the lake the rudder, + Struggles with the aid of magic; + But he cannot move the vessel, + Cannot free it from its moorings. + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Thus addresses his companion: + "O thou hero, Lemminkainen, + Stoop and look beneath this war-ship, + See on what this boat is anchored, + See on what our craft is banging, + In this broad expanse of water, + In the broad-lake's deepest soundings, + If upon some rock or tree-snag, + Or upon some other hindrance." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Looked beneath the magic vessel, + Peering through the crystal waters, + Spake and these the words be uttered: + "Does not rest upon a sand-bar, + Nor upon a rock, nor tree-snag, + But upon the back and shoulders + Of the mighty pike of Northland, + On the fin-bones of the monster." + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + Spake these words to Lemminkainen: + "Many things we find in water, + Rocks, and trees, and fish, and sea-duck; + Are we on the pike's broad shoulders, + On the fin-bones of the monster, + Pierce the waters with thy broadsword, + Cut the monster into pieces." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen, + Reckless wizard, filled with courage, + Pulls his broadsword from his girdle, + From its sheath, the bone-divider, + Strikes with might of magic hero, + Headlong falls into the water; + And the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Lifts the wizard from the river, + Speaks these words to dripping Ahti: + "Accidents will come to mortals, + Accidents will come to heroes, + By the hundreds, by the thousands, + Even to the gods above us!" + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Drew his broadsword from his girdle, + From its sheath his blade of honor, + Tried to slay the pike of Northland + With the weapon of his forging; + But he broke his sword in pieces, + Did not harm the water-monster. + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + Thus addresses his companions + "Poor apologies for heroes! + When occasion calls for victors, + When we need some great magician, + Need a hero filled with valor, + Then the arm that comes is feeble, + And the mind insane or witless, + Strength and reason gone to others!" + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen, + Miracle of strength and wisdom, + Draws his fire-sword from his girdle, + Wields the mighty blade of magic, + Strikes the waters as the lightning, + Strikes the pike beneath the vessel, + And impales, the mighty monster; + Raises him above the surface, + In the air the pike he circles, + Cuts the monster into pieces; + To the water falls the pike-tail, + To the ship the head and body; + Easily the ship moves onward. + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + To the shore directs his vessel, + On the strand the boat he anchors, + Looks in every nook and corner + For the fragments of the monster; + Gathers well the parts together, + Speaks these words to those about him: + "Let the oldest of the heroes + Slice for me the pike of Northland, + Slice the fish to fitting morsels." + Answered all the men and heroes, + And the maidens spake, assenting: + "Worthier the catcher's fingers, + Wainamoinen's hands are sacred!" + Thereupon the wise magician + Drew a fish-knife from his girdle, + Sliced the pike to fitting morsels, + Spake again to those about him: + "Let the youngest of the maidens + Cook for me the pike of Northland, + Set for me a goodly dinner!" + All the maidens quick responded, + All the virgins vied in cooking; + Neither could outdo the other, + Thus the pike was rendered toothsome. + Feasted all the old magicians, + Feasted all the younger heroes, + Feasted all the men and maidens; + On the rocks were left the fish-bones, + Only relics of their feasting. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Looked upon the pile of fragments, + On the fish-bones looked and pondered, + Spake these words in meditation: + "Wondrous things might be constructed + From the relies of this monster, + Were they in the blacksmith's furnace, + In the hands of the magician, + In the hands of Ilmarinen." + Spake the blacksmith of Wainola: + "Nothing fine can be constructed + From the bones and teeth of fishes + By the skillful forger-artist, + By the hands of the magician." + These the words of Wainamoinen: + "Something wondrous might be builded + From these jaws, and teeth, and fish-bones; + Might a magic harp be fashioned, + Could an artist be discovered + That could shape them to my wishes." + But he found no fish-bone artist + That could shape the harp of joyance + From the relies of their feasting, + From the jaw-bones of the monster, + To the will of the magician. + Thereupon wise Wainamoinen + Set himself at work designing; + Quick became a fish-bone artist, + Made a harp of wondrous beauty, + Lasting joy and pride of Suomi. + Whence the harp's enchanting arches? + From the jaw-bones of the monster. + Whence the necessary harp-pins? + From the pike-teeth firmly fastened. + Whence the sweetly singing harp-strings? + From the tail of Lempo's stallion. + Thus was born the harp of magic + From the mighty pike of Northland, + From the relies from the feasting + Of the heroes of Wainola. + All the young men came to view it, + All the aged with their children, + Mothers with their beauteous daughters, + Maidens with their golden tresses; + All the people on the islands + Came to view the harp of joyance, + Pride and beauty of the Northland. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Let the aged try the harp-strings, + Gave it to the young magicians, + To the dames and to their daughters, + To the maidens, silver-tinselled, + To the singers of Wainola. + When the young men touched the harp-strings, + Then arose the notes of discord; + When the aged played upon it, + Dissonance their only music. + Spake the wizard, Lemminkainen: + "O ye witless, worthless children, + O ye senseless, useless maidens, + O ye wisdom-lacking heroes, + Cannot play this harp of magic, + Cannot touch the notes of concord! + Give to me this thing or beauty, + Hither bring the harp of fish-bones, + Let me try my skillful fingers." + Lemminkainen touched the harp-strings, + Carefully the strings adjusted, + Turned the harp in all directions, + Fingered all the strings in sequence, + Played the instrument of wonder, + But it did not speak in concord, + Did not sing the notes of joyance. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "There is none among these maidens, + None among these youthful heroes, + None among the old magicians + That can play the harp of magic, + Touch the notes of joy and pleasure. + Let us take the harp to Pohya, + There to find a skillful player + That can touch the strings in concord." + Then they sailed to Sariola, + To Pohyola took the wonder, + There to find the harp a master. + All the heroes of Pohyola, + All the boys and all the maidens, + Ancient dames, and bearded minstrels, + Vainly touched the harp of beauty. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Took the harp-strings in her fingers; + All the youth of Sariola, + Youth of every tribe and station, + Vainly touched the harp of fish-bone; + Could not find the notes of joyance, + Dissonance their only pleasure; + Shrieked the harp-strings like the whirlwinds, + All the tones wore harsh and frightful. + In a corner slept a blind man, + Lay a gray-beard on the oven, + Rousing from his couch of slumber, + Murmured thus within his corner: + "Cease at once this wretched playing, + Make an end of all this discord; + It benumbs mine ears for hearing, + Racks my brain, despoils my senses, + Robs me of the sweets of sleeping. + If the harp of Suomi's people + True delight cannot engender, + Cannot bring the notes of pleasure, + Cannot sing to sleep the aged, + Cast the thing upon the waters, + Sink it in the deeps of ocean, + Take it back to Kalevala, + To the home of him that made it, + To the bands of its creator." + Thereupon the harp made answer, + To the blind man sang these measures: + "Shall not fall upon the waters, + Shall not sink within the ocean; + I will play for my creator, + Sing in melody and concord + In the fingers of my master." + Carefully the harp was carried + To the artist that had made it + To the hands of its creator, + To the feet of Wainamoinen. + + + + +RUNE XLI. + + + + WAINAMOINEN'S HARP-SONGS. + + + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Laves his hands to snowy whiteness, + Sits upon the rock of joyance, + On the stone of song be settles, + On the mount of silver clearness, + On the summit, golden colored; + Takes the harp by him created, + In his hands the harp of fish-bone, + With his knee the arch supporting, + Takes the harp-strings in his fingers, + Speaks these words to those assembled: + "Hither come, ye Northland people, + Come and listen to my playing, + To the harp's entrancing measures, + To my songs of joy and gladness." + Then the singer of Wainola + Took the harp of his creation, + Quick adjusting, sweetly tuning, + Deftly plied his skillful fingers + To the strings that he had fashioned. + Now was gladness rolled on gladness, + And the harmony of pleasure + Echoed from the hills and mountains: + Added singing to his playing, + Out of joy did joy come welling, + Now resounded marvelous music, + All of Northland stopped and listened. + Every creature in the forest, + All the beasts that haunt the woodlands, + On their nimble feet came bounding, + Came to listen to his playing, + Came to hear his songs of joyance. + Leaped the squirrels from the branches, + Merrily from birch to aspen; + Climbed the ermines on the fences, + O'er the plains the elk-deer bounded, + And the lynxes purred with pleasure; + Wolves awoke in far-off swamp-lands, + Bounded o'er the marsh and heather, + And the bear his den deserted, + Left his lair within the pine-wood, + Settled by a fence to listen, + Leaned against the listening gate-posts, + But the gate-posts yield beneath him; + Now he climbs the fir-tree branches + That he may enjoy and wonder, + Climbs and listens to the music + Of the harp of Wainamoinen. + Tapiola's wisest senior, + Metsola's most noble landlord, + And of Tapio, the people, + Young and aged, men and maidens, + Flew like red-deer up the mountains + There to listen to the playing, + To the harp, of Wainamoinen. + Tapiola's wisest mistress, + Hostess of the glen and forest, + Robed herself in blue and scarlet, + Bound her limbs with silken ribbons, + Sat upon the woodland summit, + On the branches of a birch-tree, + There to listen to the playing, + To the high-born hero's harping, + To the songs of Wainamoinen. + All the birds that fly in mid-air + Fell like snow-flakes from the heavens, + Flew to hear the minstrel's playing, + Hear the harp of Wainamoinen. + Eagles in their lofty eyrie + Heard the songs of the enchanter; + Swift they left their unfledged young ones, + Flew and perched around the minstrel. + From the heights the hawks descended, + From the clouds down swooped the falcon, + Ducks arose from inland waters, + Swans came gliding from the marshes; + Tiny finches, green and golden, + Flew in flocks that darkened sunlight, + Came in myriads to listen; + Perched upon the head and shoulders + Of the charming Wainamoinen, + Sweetly singing to the playing + Of the ancient bard and minstrel. + And the daughters of the welkin, + Nature's well-beloved daughters, + Listened all in rapt attention; + Some were seated on the rainbow, + Some upon the crimson cloudlets, + Some upon the dome of heaven. + In their hands the Moon's fair daughters + Held their weaving-combs of silver; + In their hands the Sun's sweet maidens + Grasped the handles of their distaffs, + Weaving with their golden shuttles, + Spinning from their silver spindles, + On the red rims of the cloudlets, + On the bow of many colors. + As they hear the minstrel playing, + Hear the harp of Wainamoinen, + Quick they drop their combs of silver, + Drop the spindles from their fingers, + And the golden threads are broken, + Broken are the threads of silver. + All the fish in Suomi-waters + Heard the songs of the magician, + Came on flying fins to listen + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + Came the trout with graceful motions, + Water-dogs with awkward movements, + From the water-cliffs the salmon, + From the sea-caves came the whiting, + From the deeper caves the bill-fish; + Came the pike from beds of sea-fern, + Little fish with eyes of scarlet, + Leaning on the reeds and rushes, + With their heads above the surface; + Came to bear the harp of joyance, + Hear the songs of the enchanter. + Ahto, king of all the waters, + Ancient king with beard of sea-grass, + Raised his head above the billows, + In a boat of water-lilies, + Glided to the coast in silence, + Listened to the wondrous singing, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + These the words the sea-king uttered: + "Never have I heard such playing, + Never heard such strains of music, + Never since the sea was fashioned, + As the songs of this enchanter, + This sweet singer, Wainamoinen." + Satko's daughters from the blue-deep, + Sisters of the wave-washed ledges, + On the colored strands were sitting, + Smoothing out their sea-green tresses + With the combs of molten silver, + With their silver-handled brushes, + Brushes forged with golden bristles. + When they hear the magic playing, + Hear the harp of Wainamoinen, + Fall their brushes on the billows, + Fall their combs with silver handles + To the bottom of the waters, + Unadorned their heads remaining, + And uncombed their sea-green tresses. + Came the hostess of the waters, + Ancient hostess robed in flowers, + Rising from her deep sea-castle, + Swimming to the shore in wonder, + Listened to the minstrel's playing, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + As the magic tones re-echoed, + As the singer's song out-circled, + Sank the hostess into slumber, + On the rocks of many colors, + On her watery couch of joyance, + Deep the sleep that settled o'er her. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Played one day and then a second, + Played the third from morn till even. + There was neither man nor hero, + Neither ancient dame, nor maiden, + Not in Metsola a daughter, + Whom he did not touch to weeping; + Wept the young, and wept the aged, + Wept the mothers, wept the daughters + Wept the warriors and heroes + At the music of his playing, + At the songs of the magician. + Wainamoinen's tears came flowing, + Welling from the master's eyelids, + Pearly tear-drops coursing downward, + Larger than the whortle-berries, + Finer than the pearls of ocean, + Smoother than the eggs of moor-hens, + Brighter than the eyes of swallows. + From his eves the tear-drops started, + Flowed adown his furrowed visage, + Falling from his beard in streamlets, + Trickled on his heaving bosom, + Streaming o'er his golden girdle, + Coursing to his garment's border, + Then beneath his shoes of ermine, + Flowing on, and flowing ever, + Part to earth for her possession, + Part to water for her portion. + As the tear-drops fall and mingle, + Form they streamlets from the eyelids + Of the minstrel, Wainamoinen, + To the blue-mere's sandy margin, + To the deeps of crystal waters, + Lost among the reeds and rushes. + Spake at last the ancient minstrel: + "Is there one in all this concourse, + One in all this vast assembly + That can gather up my tear-drops + From the deep, pellucid waters?" + Thus the younger heroes answered, + Answered thus the bearded seniors: + "There is none in all this concourse, + None in all this vast assembly, + That can gather up thy tear-drops + From the deep, pellucid waters." + Spake again wise Wainamoinen: + "He that gathers up my tear-drops + From the deeps of crystal waters + Shall receive a beauteous plumage." + Came a raven, flying, croaking, + And the minstrel thus addressed him: + "Bring, O raven, bring my tear-drops + From the crystal lake's abysses; + I will give thee beauteous plumage, + Recompense for golden service." + But the raven failed his master. + Came a duck upon the waters, + And the hero thus addressed him: + "Bring O water-bird, my tear-drops; + Often thou dost dive the deep-sea, + Sink thy bill upon the bottom + Of the waters thou dost travel; + Dive again my tears to gather, + I will give thee beauteous plumage, + Recompense for golden service." + Thereupon the duck departed, + Hither, thither, swam, and circled, + Dived beneath the foam and billow, + Gathered Wainamoinen's tear-drops + From the blue-sea's pebbly bottom, + From the deep, pellucid waters; + Brought them to the great magician, + Beautifully formed and colored, + Glistening in the silver sunshine, + Glimmering in the golden moonlight, + Many-colored as the rainbow, + Fitting ornaments for heroes, + Jewels for the maids of beauty. + This the origin of sea-pearls, + And the blue-duck's beauteous plumage. + + + + +RUNE XLII. + + + + CAPTURE OF THE SAMPO. + + + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + With the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + With the reckless son of Lempo, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + On the sea's smooth plain departed, + On the far-extending waters, + To the village, cold and dreary, + To the never-pleasant Northland, + Where the heroes fall and perish. + Ilmarinen led the rowers + On one side the magic war-ship, + And the reckless Lemminkainen + Led the rowers on the other. + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + Laid his hand upon the rudder, + Steered his vessel o'er the waters, + Through the foam and angry billows + To Pohyola's place of landing, + To the cylinders of copper, + Where the war-ships lie at anchor. + When they had arrived at Pohya, + When their journey they had ended, + On the land they rolled their vessel, + On the copper-banded rollers, + Straightway journeyed to the village, + Hastened to the halls and hamlets + Of the dismal Sariola. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Thus addressed the stranger-heroes: + Magic heroes of Wainola, + What the tidings ye are bringing + To the people of my village?" + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel. + Gave this answer to the hostess: + "All the hosts of Kalevala + Are inquiring for the Sampo, + Asking for the lid in colors; + Hither have these heroes journeyed + To divide the priceless treasure. + Thus the hostess spake in answer: + "No one would divide a partridge, + Nor a squirrel, with three heroes; + Wonderful the magic Sampo, + Plenty does it bring to Northland; + And the colored lid re-echoes + From the copper-bearing mountains, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + To the joy of its possessors." + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Thus addressed the ancient Louhi: + "If thou wilt not share the Sampo, + Give to us an equal portion, + We will take it to Wainola, + With its lid of many colors, + Take by force the hope of Pohya." + Thereupon the Northland hostess + Angry grew and sighed for vengeance; + Called her people into council, + Called the hosts of Sariola, + Heroes with their trusted broadswords, + To destroy old Wainamoinen + With his people of the Northland. + Wainamoinen, wise and ancient, + Hastened to his harp of fish-bone, + And began his magic playing; + All of Pohya stopped and listened, + Every warrior was silenced + By the notes of the magician; + Peaceful-minded grew the soldiers, + All the maidens danced with pleasure, + While the heroes fell to weeping, + And the young men looked in wonder. + Wainamoinen plays unceasing, + Plays the maidens into slumber, + Plays to sleep the young and aged, + All of Northland sleeps and listens. + Wise and wondrous Wainamoinen, + The eternal bard and singer, + Searches in his pouch of leather, + Draws therefrom his slumber-arrows, + Locks the eyelids of the sleepers, + Of the heroes of Pohyola, + Sings and charms to deeper slumber + All the warriors of the Northland. + Then the heroes of Wainola + Hasten to obtain the Sampo, + To procure the lid in colors + From the copper-bearing mountains. + From behind nine locks of copper, + In the stone-berg of Pohyola. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Then began his wondrous singing, + Sang in gentle tones of magic, + At the entrance to the mountain, + At the border of the stronghold; + Trembled all the rocky portals, + And the iron-banded pillars + Fell and crumbled at his singing. + Ilmarinen, magic blacksmith, + Well anointed all the hinges, + All the bars and locks anointed, + And the bolts flew back by magic, + All the gates unlocked in silence, + Opened for the great magician. + Spake the minstrel Wainamoinen: + "O thou daring Lemminkainen, + Friend of mine in times of trouble, + Enter thou within the mountain, + Bring away the wondrous Sampo, + Bring away the lid in colors!" + Quick the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Ever ready for a venture, + Hastens to the mountain-caverns, + There to find the famous Sampo, + There to get the lid in colors; + Strides along with conscious footsteps, + Thus himself he vainly praises: + "Great am I and full of glory, + Wonder-hero, son of Ukko, + I will bring away the Sampo, + Turn about the lid in colors, + Turn it on its magic hinges!" + Lemminkainen finds the wonder, + Finds the Sampo in the mountain, + Labors long with strength heroic, + Tugs with might and main to turn it; + Motionless remains the treasure, + Deeper sinks the lid in colors, + For the roots have grown about it, + Grown nine fathoms deep in sand-earth. + Lived a mighty ox in Northland, + Powerful in bone and sinew, + Beautiful in form and color, + Horns the length of seven fathoms, + Mouth and eyes of wondrous beauty. + Lemminkainen, reckless hero, + Harnesses the ox in pasture, + Takes the master-plow of Pohya, + Plows the roots about the Sampo, + Plows around the lid in colors, + And the sacred Sampo loosens, + Falls the colored lid in silence. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + Brings the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Brings the daring Lemminkainen, + Lastly brings the magic Sampo, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + From the copper-bearing mountain, + Hides it in his waiting vessel, + In the war-ship of Wainola. + Wainamoinen called his people, + Called his crew of men and maidens, + Called together all his heroes, + Rolled his vessel to the water, + Into billowy deeps and dangers. + Spake the blacksmith, Ilmarinen: + "Whither shall we take the Sampo, + Whither take the lid in colors, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + From this evil spot of Northland?" + Wainamoinen, wise and faithful, + Gave this answer to the question: + "Thither shall we take the Sampo, + Thither take the lid in colors, + To the fog-point on the waters, + To the island forest-covered; + There the treasure may be hidden, + May remain in peace for ages, + Free from trouble, free from danger, + Where the sword will not molest it." + Then the minstrel, Wainamoinen, + Joyful, left the Pohya borders, + Homeward sailed, and happy-hearted, + Spake these measures on departing: + "Turn, O man-of-war, from Pohya, + Turn thy back upon the strangers, + Turn thou to my distant country! + Rock, O winds, my magic vessel, + Homeward drive my ship, O billows, + Lend the rowers your assistance, + Give the oarsmen easy labor, + On this vast expanse of waters! + Give me of thine oars, O Ahto, + Lend thine aid, O King of sea-waves, + Guide as with thy helm in safety, + Lay thy hand upon the rudder, + And direct our war-ship homeward; + Let the hooks of metal rattle + O'er the surging of the billows, + On the white-capped waves' commotion." + Then the master, Wainamoinen, + Guided home his willing vessel; + And the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + With the lively Lemminkainen, + Led the mighty host of rowers, + And the war-ship glided homeward + O'er the sea's unruffled surface, + O'er the mighty waste of waters. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "Once before I rode these billows, + There were viands for the heroes, + There was singing for the maidens; + But to-day I hear no singing, + Hear no songs upon the vessel, + Hear no music on the waters." + Wainamoinen, wise and ancient, + Answered thus wild Lemminkainen: + "Let none sing upon the blue-sea, + On the waters, no rejoicing; + Singing would prolong our journey, + Songs disturb the host of rowers; + Soon will die the silver sunlight, + Darkness soon will overtake us, + On this evil waste of waters, + On this blue-sea, smooth and level." + These the words of Lemminkainen: + "Time will fly on equal pinions + Whether we have songs or silence; + Soon will disappear the daylight, + And the night as quickly follow, + Whether we be sad or joyous." + Wainamoinen, the magician, + O'er the blue backs of the billows, + Steered one day, and then a second, + Steered the third from morn till even, + When the wizard, Lemminkainen, + Once again addressed the master: + "Why wilt thou, O famous minstrel, + Sing no longer for thy people, + Since the Sampo thou hast captured, + Captured too the lid in colors?" + These the words of Wainamoinen: + "'Tis not well to sing too early! + Time enough for songs of joyance + When we see our home-land mansions, + When our journeyings have ended!" + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen: + "At the helm, if I were sitting, + I would sing at morn and evening, + Though my voice has little sweetness; + Since thy songs are not forthcoming + Listen to my wondrous singing!" + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen, + Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, + Raised his voice above the waters, + O'er the sea his song resounded; + But his measures were discordant, + And his notes were harsh and frightful. + Sang the wizard, Lemminkainen, + Screeched the reckless Kaukomieli, + Till the mighty war-ship trembled; + Far and wide was heard his singing, + Heard his songs upon the waters, + Heard within the seventh village, + Heard beyond the seven oceans. + Sat a crane within the rushes, + On a hillock clothed in verdure, + And the crane his toes was counting; + Suddenly he heard the singing + Of the wizard, Lemminkainen; + And the bird was justly frightened + At the songs of the magician. + Then with horrid voice, and screeching, + Flew the crane across the broad-sea + To the lakes of Sariola, + O'er Pohyola's hills and hamlets, + Screeching, screaming, over Northland, + Till the people of the darkness + Were awakened from their slumbers. + Louhi hastens to her hurdles, + Hastens to her droves of cattle, + Hastens also to her garners, + Counts her herds, inspects her store-house; + Undisturbed she finds her treasures. + Quick she journeys to the entrance + To the copper-bearing mountain, + Speaks these words as she approaches: + "Woe is me, my life hard-fated, + Woe to Louhi, broken-hearted! + Here the tracks of the destroyers, + All my locks and bolts are broken + By the hands of cruel strangers! + Broken are my iron hinges, + Open stand the mountain-portals + Leading to the Northland-treasure. + Has Pohyola lost her Sampo?" + Then she hastened to the chambers + Where the Sampo had been grinding; + But she found the chambers empty, + Lid and Sampo gone to others, + From the stone-berg of Pohyola, + From behind nine locks of copper, + In the copper-bearing mountain. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Angry grew and cried for vengeance; + As she found her fame departing, + Found her-strength fast disappearing, + Thus addressed the sea-fog virgin: + "Daughter of the morning-vapors, + Sift thy fogs from distant cloud-land, + Sift the thick air from the heavens, + Sift thy vapors from the ether, + On the blue-back of the broad-sea, + On the far extending waters, + That the ancient Wainamoinen, + Friend of ocean-wave and billow, + May not baffle his pursuers! + "Should this prayer prove unavailing, + Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, + Raise thy head above the billows, + And destroy Wainola's heroes, + Sink them to thy deep sea-castles, + There devour them at thy pleasure; + Bring thou back the golden Sampo + To the people of Pohyola! + "Should these words be ineffective, + Ukko, mightiest of rulers, + Golden king beyond the welkin, + Sitting on a throne of silver, + Fill thy skies with heavy storm-clouds, + Call thy fleetest winds about thee, + Send them o'er the seven broad-seas, + There to find the fleeing vessel, + That the ancient Wainamoinen + May not baffle his pursuers!" + Quick the virgin of the vapors + Breathed a fog upon the waters, + Made it settle on the war-ship + Of the heroes of the Northland, + Held the minstrel, Wainamoinen, + Anchored in the fog and darkness; + Bound him one day, then a second, + Then a third till dawn of morning, + In the middle of the blue-sea, + Whence he could not flee in safety + From the wrath of his pursuers. + When the third night had departed, + Resting in the sea, and helpless, + Wainamoinen spake as follows, + "Not a man of strength and courage, + Not the weakest of the heroes, + Who upon the sea will suffer, + Sink and perish in the vapors, + Perish in the fog and darkness!" + With his sword he smote the billows, + From his magic blade flowed honey; + Quick the vapor breaks, and rises, + Leaves the waters clear for rowing; + Far extend the sky and waters, + Large the ring of the horizon, + And the troubled sea enlarges. + Time had journeyed little distance, + Scarce a moment had passed over, + When they heard a mighty roaring, + Heard a roaring and a rushing + Near the border of the vessel, + Where the foam was shooting skyward + O'er the boat of Wainamoinen. + Straightway youthful Ilmarinen + Sank in gravest apprehension, + From his cheeks the blood departed; + Pulled his cap down o'er his forehead, + Shook and trembled with emotion. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Casts his eyes upon the waters + Near the broad rim of his war-ship; + There perceives an ocean-wonder + With his head above the sea-foam. + Wainamoinen, brave and mighty, + Seizes quick the water-monster, + Lifts him by his ears and questions: + "Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, + Why art rising from the blue-sea? + Wherefore dost thou leave thy castle, + Show thyself to mighty heroes, + To the heroes of Wainola?" + Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, + Ocean monster, manifested + Neither pleasure, nor displeasure, + Was not in the least affrighted, + Did not give the hero answer. + Whereupon the ancient minstrel, + Asked the second time the monster, + Urgently inquired a third time: + "Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, + Why art rising from the waters, + Wherefore dost thou leave the blue-sea? + Iku-Turso gave this answer: + For this cause I left my castle + Underneath the rolling billows: + Came I here with the intention + To destroy the Kalew-heroes, + And return the magic Sampo + To the people of Pohyola. + If thou wilt restore my freedom, + Spare my life, from pain and sorrow, + I will quick retrace my journey, + Nevermore to show my visage + To the people of Wainola, + Never while the moonlight glimmers + On the hills of Kalevala!" + Then the singer, Wainamoinen, + Freed the monster, Iku-Turso, + Sent him to his deep sea-castles, + Spake these words to him departing: + "Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, + Nevermore arise from ocean, + Nevermore let Northland-heroes + See thy face above the waters I + Nevermore has Iku-Turso + Risen to the ocean-level; + Never since have Northland sailors + Seen the head of this sea-monster. + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Onward rowed his goodly vessel, + Journeyed but a little distance, + Scarce a moment had passed over, + When the King of all creators, + Mighty Ukko of the heavens, + Made the winds blow full of power, + Made the storms arise in fury, + Made them rage upon the waters. + From the west the winds came roaring, + From the north-east came in anger, + Winds came howling from the south-west, + Came the winds from all directions, + In their fury, rolling, roaring, + Tearing branches from the lindens, + Hurling needles from the pine-trees, + Blowing flowers from the heather, + Grasses blowing from the meadow, + Tearing up the very bottom + Of the deep and boundless blue-sea. + Roared the winds and lashed the waters + Till the waves were white with fury; + Tossed the war-ship high in ether, + Tossed away the harp of fish-bone, + Magic harp of Wainamoinen, + To the joy of King Wellamo, + To the pleasure of his people, + To the happiness of Ahto, + Ahto, rising from his caverns, + On the floods beheld his people + Carry off the harp of magic + To their home below the billows. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Heavy-hearted, spake these measures: + "I have lost what I created, + I have lost the harp of joyance; + Now my strength has gone to others, + All my pleasure too departed, + All my hope and comfort vanished! + Nevermore the harp of fish-bone + Will enchant the hosts of Suomi!" + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Sorrow-laden, spake as follows: + "Woe is me, my life hard-fated! + Would that I had never journeyed + On these waters filled with dangers, + On the rolling waste before me, + In this war-ship false and feeble. + Winds and storms have I encountered, + Wretched days of toil and trouble, + I have witnessed in the Northland; + Never have I met such dangers + On the land, nor on the ocean, + Never in my hero life-time!" + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Spake and these the words he uttered: + "Weep no more, my goodly comrades, + In my bark let no one murmur; + Weeping cannot mend disaster, + Tears can never still misfortune, + Mourning cannot save from evil. + "Sea, command thy warring forces, + Bid thy children cease their fury! + Ahto, still thy surging billows! + Sink, Wellamo, to thy slumber, + That our boat may move in safety. + Rise, ye storm-winds, to your kingdoms, + Lift your heads above the waters, + To the regions of your kindred, + To your people and dominions; + Cut the trees within the forest, + Bend the lindens of the valley, + Let our vessel sail in safety!" + Then the reckless Lemminkainen, + Handsome wizard, Kaukomieli, + Spake these words in supplication: + "Come, O eagle, Turyalander, + Bring three feathers from thy pinions, + Three, O raven, three, O eagle, + To protect this bark from evil!" + All the heroes of Wainola + Call their forces to the rescue, + And repair the sinking vessel. + By the aid of master-magic, + Wainamoinen saved his war-ship, + Saved his people from destruction, + Well repaired his ship to battle + With the roughest seas of Northland; + Steers his mighty boat in safety + Through the perils of the whirlpool, + Through the watery deeps and dangers. + + + + +RUNE XLIII. + + + + THE SAMPO LOST IN THE SEA. + + + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Called her many tribes together, + Gave the archers bows and arrows, + Gave her brave men spears and broadswords; + Fitted out her mightiest war-ship, + In the vessel placed her army, + With their swords a hundred heroes, + With their bows a thousand archers; + Quick erected masts and sail-yards, + On the masts her sails of linen + Hanging like the clouds of heaven, + Like the white-clouds in the ether, + Sailed across the seas of Pohya, + To re-take the wondrous Sampo + From the heroes of Wainola. + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Sailed across the deep, blue waters, + Spake these words to Lemminkainen: + "O thou daring son of Lempo, + Best of all my friends and heroes, + Mount the highest of the topmasts, + Look before you into ether, + Look behind you at the heavens, + Well examine the horizon, + Whether clear or filled with trouble." + Climbed the daring Lemminkainen, + Ever ready for a venture, + To the highest of the mastheads; + Looked he eastward, also westward, + Looked he northward, also southward, + Then addressed wise Wainamoinen. + "Clear the sky appears before me, + But behind a dark horizon; + In the north a cloud is rising, + And a longer cloud at north-west." + Wainamoinen thus made answer: + Art thou speaking truth or fiction? + I am fearful that the war-ships + Of Pohyola are pursuing; + Look again with keener vision." + Thereupon wild Lemminkainen + Looked again and spake as follows: + "In the distance seems a forest, + In the south appears an island, + Aspen-groves with falcons laden, + Alders laden with the wood-grouse." + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Surely thou art speaking falsehood; + 'Tis no forest in the distance, + Neither aspen, birch, nor alders, + Laden with the grouse, or falcon; + I am fearful that Pohyola + Follows with her magic armies; + Look again with keener vision." + Then the daring Lemminkainen + Looked the third time from the topmast, + Spake and these the words be uttered: + "From the north a boat pursues us, + Driven by a hundred rowers, + Carrying a thousand heroes!" + Knew at last old Wainamoinen, + Knew the truth of his inquiry, + Thus addressed his fleeing people: + "Row, O blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Row, O mighty Lemminkainen, + Row, all ye my noble oarsmen, + That our boat may skim the waters, + May escape from our pursuers!" + Rowed the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Rowed the mighty Lemminkainen, + With them rowed the other heroes; + Heavily groaned the helm of birch-wood, + Loudly rattled all the row-locks; + All the vessel shook and trembled, + Like a cataract it thundered + As it plowed the waste of waters, + Tossing sea-foam to the heavens. + Strongly rowed Wainola's forces, + Strongly were their arms united; + But the distance did not widen + Twixt the boat and their pursuers. + Quick the hero, Wainamoinen, + Saw misfortune hanging over, + Saw destruction in the distance + Heavy-hearted, long reflecting, + Trouble-laden, spake as follows: + "Only is there one salvation, + Know one miracle for safety!" + Then he grasped his box of tinder, + From the box he took a flint-stone, + Of the tinder took some fragments, + Cast the fragments on the waters, + Spake these words of master-magic. + "Let from these arise a mountain + From the bottom of the deep-sea, + Let a rock arise in water, + That the war-ship of Pohyola, + With her thousand men and heroes, + May be wrecked upon the summit, + By the aid of surging billows." + Instantly a reef arises, + In the sea springs up a mountain, + Eastward, westward, through the waters. + Came the war-ship of the Northland, + Through the floods the boat came steering, + Sailed against the mountain-ledges, + Fastened on the rocks in water, + Wrecked upon the Mount of Magic. + In the deep-sea fell the topmasts, + Fell the sails upon the billows, + Carried by the winds and waters + O'er the waves of toil and trouble. + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Tries to free her sinking vessel, + Tries to rescue from destruction; + But she cannot raise the war-ship, + Firmly fixed upon the mountain; + Shattered are the ribs and rudder, + Ruined is the ship of Pohya. + Then the hostess of the Northland, + Much disheartened, spake as follows: + "Where the force, in earth or heaven, + That will help a soul in trouble?" + Quick she changes form and feature, + Makes herself another body; + Takes five sharpened scythes of iron, + Also takes five goodly sickles, + Shapes them into eagle-talons; + Takes the body of the vessel, + Makes the frame-work of an eagle; + Takes the vessel's ribs and flooring + Makes them into wings and breastplate; + For the tail she shapes the rudder; + In the wings she plants a thousand + Seniors with their bows and arrows; + Sets a thousand magic heroes + In the body, armed with broadswords + In the tail a hundred archers, + With their deadly spears and cross-bows, + Thus the bird is hero-feathered. + Quick she spreads her mighty pinions, + Rises as a monster-eagle, + Flies on high, and soars, and circles + With one wing she sweeps the heavens, + While the other sweeps the waters. + Spake the hero's ocean-mother: + "O thou ancient Wainamoinen, + Turn thy vision to the north-east, + Cast thine eyes upon the sunrise, + Look behind thy fleeing vessel, + See the eagle of misfortune!" + Wainamoinen turned as bidden, + Turned his vision to the north-east, + Cast his eyes upon the sunrise, + There beheld the Northland-hostess, + Wicked witch of Sariola, + Flying as a monster-eagle, + Swooping on his mighty war-ship; + Flies and perches on the topmast, + On the sail-yards firmly settles; + Nearly overturns the vessel + Of the heroes of Wainola, + Underneath the weight of envy. + Then the hero, Ilmarinen, + Turned to Ukko as his refuge, + Thus entreated his Creator: + "Ukko, thou O God in heaven, + Thou Creator full of mercy, + Guard us from impending danger, + That thy children may not perish, + May not meet with fell destruction. + Hither bring thy magic fire-cloak, + That thy people, thus protected, + May resist Pohyola's forces, + Well may fight against the hostess + Of the dismal Sariola, + May not fall before her weapons, + May not in the deep-sea perish!" + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Thus addressed the ancient Louhi: + "O thou hostess of Pohyola, + Wilt thou now divide the Sampo, + On the fog-point in the water, + On the island forest-covered? + Thus the Northland hostess answered: + "I will not divide the Sampo, + Not with thee, thou evil wizard, + Not with wicked Wainamoinen!" + Quick the mighty eagle, Louhi, + Swoops upon the lid in colors, + Grasps the Sampo in her talons; + But the daring Lemminkainen + Straightway draws his blade of battle, + Draws his broadsword from his girdle, + Cleaves the talons of the eagle, + One toe only is uninjured, + Speaks these magic words of conquest: + "Down, ye spears, and down, ye broadswords, + Down, ye thousand witless heroes, + Down, ye feathered hosts of Louhi!" + Spake the hostess of Pohyola, + Calling, screeching, from the sail-yards: + "O thou faithless Lemminkainen, + Wicked wizard, Kaukomieli, + To deceive thy trusting mother! + Thou didst give to her thy promise, + Not to go to war for ages, + Not to war for sixty summers, + Though desire for gold impels thee, + Though thou wishest gold and silver! + Wainamoinen, ancient hero, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Thinking he had met destruction, + Snatched the rudder from the waters, + With it smote the monster-eagle, + Smote the eagle's iron talons, + Smote her countless feathered heroes. + From her breast her hosts descended, + Spearmen fell upon the billows, + From the wings descend a thousand, + From the tail, a hundred archers. + Swoops again the bird of Pohya + To the bottom of the vessel, + Like the hawk from birch or aspen, + Like the falcon from the linden; + Grasps the Sampo with one talon, + Drags the treasure to the waters, + Drops the magic lid in colors + From the red rim of the war-ship + To the bottom of the deep-sea, + Where the Sampo breaks in pieces, + Scatters through the Alue-waters, + In the mighty deeps for ages, + To increase the ocean's treasures, + Treasures for the hosts of Ahto. + Nevermore will there be wanting + Richness for the Ahto-nation, + Never while the moonlight brightens + On the waters of the Northland. + Many fragments of the Sampo + Floated on the purple waters, + On the waters deep and boundless, + Rocked by winds and waves of Suomi, + Carried by the rolling billows + To the sea-sides of Wainola. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Saw the fragments of the treasure + Floating on the billows landward, + Fragments of the lid in colors, + Much rejoicing, spake as follows: + "Thence will come the sprouting seed-grain, + The beginning of good fortune, + The unending of resources, + From the plowing and the sowing, + From the glimmer of the moonlight, + From the splendor of the sunshine, + On the fertile plains of Suomi, + On the meads of Kalevala." + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Thus addressed old Wainamoinen: + "Know I other mighty measures, + Know I means that are efficient, + And against thy golden moonlight, + And the splendor of thy sunshine, + And thy plowing, and thy reaping; + In the rocks I'll sink the moonbeams, + Hide the sun within the mountain, + Let the frost destroy thy sowings, + Freeze the crops on all thy corn-fields; + Iron-hail I'll send from heaven, + On the richness of thine acres, + On the barley of thy planting; + I will drive the bear from forests, + Send thee Otso from the thickets, + That he may destroy thy cattle, + May annihilate thy sheep-folds, + May destroy thy steeds at pasture. + I will send thee nine diseases, + Each more fatal than the other, + That will sicken all thy people, + Make thy children sink and perish, + Nevermore to visit Northland, + Never while the moonlight glimmers + On the plains of Kalevala!" + Thus the ancient bard made answer: + "Not a Laplander can banish + Wainamoinen and his people; + Never can a Turyalander + Drive my tribes from Kalevala; + God alone has power to banish, + God controls the fate of nations, + Never trusts the arms of evil, + Never gives His strength to others. + As I trust in my Creator, + Call upon benignant Ukko, + He will guard my crops from danger + Drive the Frost-fiend from my corn-fields, + Drive great Otso to his caverns. + "Wicked Louhi of Pohyola, + Thou canst banish evil-doers, + In the rocks canst hide the wicked, + In thy mountains lock the guilty; + Thou canst never hide the moonlight, + Never bide the silver sunshine, + In the caverns of thy kingdom. + Freeze the crops of thine own planting, + Freeze the barley of thy sowing, + Send thine iron-hail from heaven + To destroy the Lapland corn-fields, + To annihilate thy people, + To destroy the hosts of Pohya; + Send great Otso from the heather, + Send the sharp-tooth from the forest, + To the fields of Sariola, + On the herds and flocks of Louhi!" + Thus the wicked hostess answered: + "All my power has departed, + All my strength has gone to others, + All my hope is in the deep-sea; + In the waters lies my Sampo!" + Then the hostess of Pohyola + Home departed, weeping, wailing, + To the land of cold and darkness; + Only took some worthless fragments + Of the Sampo to her people; + Carried she the lid to Pohya, + In the blue-sea left the handle; + Hence the poverty of Northland, + And the famines of Pohyola. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Hastened to the broad-sea's margin, + Stepped upon the shore in joyance; + Found there fragments of the Sampo, + Fragments of the lid in colors, + On the borders of the waters, + On the curving sands and sea-sides; + Gathered well the Sampo-relics + From the waters near the fog-point, + On the island forest-covered. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen, + Spake these words in supplication: + "Grant, O Ukko, our Creator, + Grant to us, thy needful children, + Peace, and happiness, and plenty, + That our lives may be successful, + That our days may end in honor, + On the vales and hills of Suomi, + On the prairies of Wainola, + In the homes of Kalevala! + "Ukko, wise and good Creator, + Ukko, God of love and mercy, + Shelter and protect thy people + From the evil-minded heroes, + From the wiles of wicked women, + That our country's plagues may leave us, + That thy faithful tribes may prosper. + Be our friend and strong protector, + Be the helper of thy children, + In the night a roof above them, + In the day a shield around them, + That the sunshine may not vanish, + That the moonlight may not lessen, + That the killing frosts may leave them, + And destructive hail pass over. + Build a metal wall around us, + From the valleys to the heavens; + Build of stone a mighty fortress + On the borders of Wainola, + Where thy people live and labor, + As their dwelling-place forever, + Sure protection to thy people, + Where the wicked may not enter, + Nor the thieves break through and pilfer, + Never while the moonlight glistens, + And the Sun brings golden blessings + To the plains of Kalevala." + + + + +RUNE XLIV. + + + + BIRTH OF THE SECOND HARP. + + + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Long reflecting, sang these measures: + "It is now the time befitting + To awaken joy and gladness, + Time for me to touch the harp-strings, + Time to sing the songs primeval, + In these spacious halls and mansions, + In these homes of Kalevala; + But, alas! my harp lies hidden, + Sunk upon the deep-sea's bottom, + To the salmon's hiding-places, + To the dwellings of the whiting, + To the people of Wellamo, + Where the Northland-pike assemble. + Nevermore will I regain it, + Ahto never will return it, + Joy and music gone forever! + "O thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Forge for me a rake of iron, + Thickly set the teeth of copper, + Many fathoms long the handle; + Make a rake to search the waters, + Search the broad-sea to the bottom, + Rake the weeds and reeds together, + Rake them to the curving sea-shore, + That I may regain my treasure, + May regain my harp of fish-bow + From the whiting's place of resting, + From the caverns of the salmon, + From the castles of Wellamo." + Thereupon young Ilmarinen, + The eternal metal-worker, + Forges well a rake of iron, + Teeth in length a hundred fathoms, + And a thousand long the handle, + Thickly sets the teeth of copper. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + Takes the rake of magic metals, + Travels but a little distance, + To the cylinders of oak-wood, + To the copper-banded rollers, + Where he finds two ships awaiting, + One was new, the other ancient. + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Thus addressed the new-made vessel: + "Go, thou boat of master-magic, + Hasten to the willing waters, + Speed away upon the blue-sea, + And without the hand to move thee; + Let my will impel thee seaward." + Quick the boat rolled to the billows + On the cylinders of oak-wood, + Quick descended to the waters, + Willingly obeyed his master. + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Then began to rake the sea-beds, + Raked up all the water-flowers, + Bits of broken reeds and rushes, + Deep-sea shells and colored pebbles, + Did not find his harp of fish-bone, + Lost forever to Wainola! + Thereupon the ancient minstrel + Left the waters, homeward hastened, + Cap pulled clown upon his forehead, + Sang this song with sorrow laden: + "Nevermore shall I awaken + With my harp-strings, joy and gladness! + Nevermore will Wainamoinen + Charm the people of the Northland + With the harp of his creation! + Nevermore my songs will echo + O'er the hills of Kalevala!" + Thereupon the ancient singer + Went lamenting through the forest, + Wandered through the sighing pine-woods, + Heard the wailing of a birch-tree, + Heard a juniper complaining; + Drawing nearer, waits and listens, + Thus the birch-tree he addresses: + "Wherefore, brother, art thou weeping, + Merry birch enrobed in silver, + Silver-leaved and silver-tasselled? + Art thou shedding tears of sorrow, + Since thou art not led to battle, + Not enforced to war with wizards? + Wisely does the birch make answer: + "This the language of the many, + Others speak as thou, unjustly, + That I only live in pleasure, + That my silver leaves and tassels + Only whisper my rejoicings; + That I have no cares, no sorrows, + That I have no hours unhappy, + Knowing neither pain nor trouble. + I am weeping for my smallness, + Am lamenting for my weakness, + Have no sympathy, no pity, + Stand here motionless for ages, + Stand alone in fen and forest, + In these woodlands vast and joyless. + Others hope for coming summers, + For the beauties of the spring-time; + I, alas! a helpless birch-tree, + Dread the changing of the seasons, + I must give my bark to, others, + Lose my leaves and silken tassels. + Men come the Suomi children, + Peel my bark and drink my life-blood: + Wicked shepherds in the summer, + Come and steal my belt of silver, + Of my bark make berry-baskets, + Dishes make, and cups for drinking. + Oftentimes the Northland maidens + Cut my tender limbs for birch-brooms,' + Bind my twigs and silver tassels + Into brooms to sweep their cabins; + Often have the Northland heroes + Chopped me into chips for burning; + Three times in the summer season, + In the pleasant days of spring-time, + Foresters have ground their axes + On my silver trunk and branches, + Robbed me of my life for ages; + This my spring-time joy and pleasure, + This my happiness in summer, + And my winter days no better! + When I think of former troubles, + Sorrow settles on my visage, + And my face grows white with anguish; + Often do the winds of winter + And the hoar-frost bring me sadness, + Blast my tender leaves and tassels, + Bear my foliage to others, + Rob me of my silver raiment, + Leave me naked on the mountain, + Lone, and helpless, and disheartened!" + Spake the good, old Wainamoinen: + "Weep no longer, sacred birch-tree, + Mourn no more, my friend and brother, + Thou shalt have a better fortune; + I will turn thy grief to joyance, + Make thee laugh and sing with gladness." + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Made a harp from sacred birch-wood, + Fashioned in the days of summer, + Beautiful the harp of magic, + By the master's hand created + On the fog-point in the Big-Sea, + On the island forest-covered, + Fashioned from the birch the archings, + And the frame-work from the aspen. + These the words of the magician: + "All the archings are completed, + And the frame is fitly finished; + Whence the hooks and pins for tuning, + That the harp may sing in concord?" + Near the way-side grew an oak-tree, + Skyward grew with equal branches, + On each twig an acorn growing, + Golden balls upon each acorn, + On each ball a singing cuckoo. + As each cuckoo's call resounded, + Five the notes of song that issued + From the songster's throat of joyance; + From each throat came liquid music, + Gold and silver for the master, + Flowing to the hills and hillocks, + To the silvery vales and mountains; + Thence he took the merry harp-pins, + That the harp might play in concord. + Spake again wise Wainamoinen: + "I the pins have well completed, + Still the harp is yet unfinished; + Now I need five strings for playing, + Where shall I procure the harp-strings?" + Then the ancient bard and minstrel + Journeyed through the fen and forest. + On a hillock sat a maiden, + Sat a virgin of the valley; + And the maiden was not weeping, + Joyful was the sylvan daughter, + Singing with the woodland songsters, + That the eventide might hasten, + In the hope that her beloved + Would the sooner sit beside her. + Wainamoinen, old and trusted, + Hastened, tripping to the virgin, + Asked her for her golden ringleta, + These the words of the magician. + "Give me, maiden, of thy tresses, + Give to me thy golden ringlets; + I will weave them into harp-strings, + To the joy of Wainamoinen, + To the pleasure of his people." + Thereupon the forest-maiden + Gave the singer of her tresses, + Gave him of her golden ringlets, + And of these he made the harp-strings. + Sources of eternal pleasure + To the people of Wainola. + Thus the sacred harp is finished, + And the minstrel, Wainamoinen, + Sits upon the rock of joyance, + Takes the harp within his fingers, + Turns the arch up, looking skyward; + With his knee the arch supporting, + Sets the strings in tuneful order, + Runs his fingers o'er the harp-strings, + And the notes of pleasure follow. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Plays upon his harp of birch-wood. + Far away is heard the music, + Wide the harp of joy re-echoes; + Mountains dance and valleys listen, + Flinty rocks are tom asunder, + Stones are hurled upon the waters, + Pebbles swim upon the Big-Sea, + Pines and lindens laugh with pleasure, + Alders skip about the heather, + And the aspen sways in concord. + All the daughters of Wainola + Straightway leave their shining needles, + Hasten forward like the current, + Speed along like rapid rivers, + That they may enjoy and wonder. + Laugh the younger men and maidens, + Happy-hearted are the matrons + Flying swift to bear the playing, + To enjoy the common pleasure, + Hear the harp of Wainamoinen. + Aged men and bearded seniors, + Gray-haired mothers with their daughters + Stop in wonderment and listen. + Creeps the babe in full enjoyment + As he hears the magic singing, + Hears the harp of Wainamoinen. + All of Northland stops in wonder, + Speaks in unison these measures: + "Never have we heard such playing, + Never heard such strains of music, + Never since the earth was fashioned, + As the songs of this magician, + This sweet singer, Wainamoinen!" + Far and wide the sweet tones echo, + Ring throughout the seven hamlets, + O'er the seven islands echo; + Every creature of the Northland + Hastens forth to look and listen, + Listen to the songs of gladness, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + All the beasts that haunt the woodlands + Fall upon their knees and wonder + At the playing of the minstrel, + At his miracles of concord. + All the songsters of the forests + Perch upon the trembling branches, + Singing to the wondrous playing + Of the harp of Wainamoinen. + All the dwellers of the waters + Leave their beds, and eaves, and grottoes, + Swim against the shore and listen + To the playing of the minstrel, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + All the little things in nature, + Rise from earth, and fall from ether, + Come and listen to the music, + To the notes of the enchanter, + To the songs of the magician, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + Plays the singer of the Northland, + Plays in miracles of sweetness, + Plays one day, and then a second, + Plays the third from morn till even; + Plays within the halls and cabins, + In the dwellings of his people, + Till the floors and ceilings echo, + Till resound the roofs of pine-wood, + Till the windows speak and tremble, + Till the portals echo joyance, + And the hearth-stones sing in pleasure. + As he journeys through the forest, + As he wanders through the woodlands, + Pine and sorb-tree bid him welcome, + Birch and willow bend obeisance, + Beech and aspen bow submission; + And the linden waves her branches + To the measure of his playing, + To the notes of the magician. + As the minstrel plays and wanders, + Sings upon the mead and heather, + Glen and hill his songs re-echo, + Ferns and flowers laugh in pleasure, + And the shrubs attune their voices + To the music of the harp-strings, + To the songs of Wainamoinen. + + + + +RUNE XLV. + + + + BIRTH OF THE NINE DISEASES. + + + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Heard the word in Sariola, + Heard the Dews with ears of envy, + That Wainola lives and prospers, + That Osmoinen's wealth increases, + Through the ruins of the Sampo, + Ruins of the lid in colors. + Thereupon her wrath she kindled, + Well considered, long reflected, + How she might prepare destruction + For the people of Wainola, + For the tribes of Kalevala. + With this prayer she turns to Ukko, + Thus entreats the god of thunder: + "Ukko, thou who art in heaven, + Help me slay Wainola's people + With thine iron-hail of justice, + With thine arrows tipped with lightning, + Or from sickness let them perish, + Let them die the death deserving; + Let the men die in the forest, + And the women in the hurdles!" + The blind daughter of Tuoni, + Old and wicked witch, Lowyatar, + Worst of all the Death-land women, + Ugliest of Mana's children, + Source of all the host of evils, + All the ills and plagues of Northland, + Black in heart, and soul, and visage, + Evil genius of Lappala, + Made her couch along the wayside, + On the fields of sin and sorrow; + Turned her back upon the East-wind, + To the source of stormy weather, + To the chilling winds of morning. + When the winds arose at evening, + Heavy-laden grew Lowyatar, + Through the east-wind's impregnation, + On the sand-plains, vast and barren. + Long she bore her weight of trouble, + Many morns she suffered anguish, + Till at last she leaves the desert, + Makes her couch within the forest, + On a rock upon the mountain; + Labors long to leave her burden + By the mountain-springs and fountains, + By the crystal waters flowing, + By the sacred stream and whirlpool, + By the cataract and fire-stream; + But her burden does not lighten. + Blind Lowyatar, old and ugly, + Knew not where to look for succor, + How to lose her weight of sorrow, + Where to lay her evil children. + Spake the Highest from the heavens, + These, the words of mighty Ukko: + "Is a triangle in Swamp-field, + Near the border of the ocean, + In the never-pleasant Northland, + In the dismal Sariola; + Thither go and lay thy burden, + In Pohyola leave thine offspring; + There the Laplanders await thee, + There will bid thy children welcome." + Thereupon the blind Lowyatar, + Blackest daughter of Tuoni, + Mana's old and ugly maiden, + Hastened on her journey northward, + To the chambers of Pohyola, + To the ancient halls of Louhi, + There to lay her heavy burdens, + There to leave her evil offspring. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Old and toothless witch of Pohya, + Takes Lowyatar to her mansion; + Silently she leads the stranger + To the bath-rooms of her chamber, + Pours the foaming beer of barley, + Lubricates the bolts and hinges, + That their movements may be secret, + Speaks these measures to Lowyatar: + "Faithful daughter of Creation, + Thou most beautiful of women, + First and last of ancient mothers, + Hasten on thy feet to ocean, + To the ocean's centre hasten, + Take the sea-foam from the waters, + Take the honey of the mermaids, + And anoint thy sacred members, + That thy labors may be lightened. + "Should all this be unavailing, + Ukko, thou who art in heaven, + Hasten hither, thou art needed, + Come thou to thy child in trouble, + Help the helpless and afflicted. + Take thy golden-colored sceptre, + Charm away opposing forces, + Strike the pillars of the stronghold, + Open all resisting portals, + That the great and small may wander + From their ancient hiding-places, + Through the courts and halls of freedom." + Finally the blind Lowyatar, + Wicked witch of Tuonela, + Was delivered of her burden, + Laid her offspring in the cradle, + Underneath the golden covers. + Thus at last were born nine children, + In an evening of the summer, + From Lowyatar, blind and ancient, + Ugly daughter of Tuoni. + Faithfully the virgin-mother + Guards her children in affection, + As an artist loves and nurses + What his skillful hands have fashioned. + Thus Lowyatar named her offspring, + Colic, Pleurisy, and Fever, + Ulcer, Plague, and dread Consumption, + Gout, Sterility, and Cancer. + And the worst of these nine children + Blind Lowyatar quickly banished, + Drove away as an enchanter, + To bewitch the lowland people, + To engender strife and envy. + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Banished all the other children + To the fog-point in the ocean, + To the island forest-covered; + Banished all the fatal creatures, + Gave these wicked sons of evil + To the people of Wainola, + To the youth of Kalevala, + For the Kalew-tribe's destruction. + Quick Wainola's maidens sicken, + Young and aged, men and heroes, + With the worst of all diseases, + With diseases new and nameless; + Sick and dying is Wainola. + Thereupon old Wainamoinen, + Wise and wonderful enchanter, + Hastens to his people's rescue, + Hastens to a war with Mana, + To a conflict with Tuoni, + To destroy the evil children + Of the evil maid, Lowyatar. + Wainamoinen heats the bath-rooms, + Heats the blocks of healing-sandstone + With the magic wood of Northland, + Gathered by the sacred river; + Water brings in covered buckets + From the cataract and whirlpool; + Brooms he brings enwrapped with ermine, + Well the bath the healer cleanses, + Softens well the brooms of birch-wood; + Then a honey-heat be wakens, + Fills the rooms with healing vapors, + From the virtue of the pebbles + Glowing in the heat of magic, + Thus he speaks in supplication: + "Come, O Ukko, to my rescue, + God of mercy, lend thy presence, + Give these vapor-baths new virtues, + Grant to them the powers of healing, + And restore my dying people; + Drive away these fell diseases, + Banish them to the unworthy, + Let the holy sparks enkindle, + Keep this heat in healing limits, + That it may not harm thy children, + May not injure the afflicted. + When I pour the sacred waters + On the heated blocks of sandstone, + May the water turn to honey + Laden with the balm of healing. + Let the stream of magic virtues + Ceaseless flow to all my children, + From this bath enrolled in sea-moss, + That the guiltless may not suffer, + That my tribe-folk may not perish, + Till the Master gives permission, + Until Ukko sends his minions, + Sends diseases of his choosing, + To destroy my trusting people. + Let the hostess of Pohyola, + Wicked witch that sent these troubles, + Suffer from a gnawing conscience, + Suffer for her evil doings. + Should the Master of Wainola + Lose his magic skill and weaken, + Should he prove of little service + To deliver from misfortune, + To deliver from these evils, + Then may Ukko be our healer, + Be our strength and wise Physician. + "Omnipresent God of mercy, + Thou who livest in the heavens, + Hasten hither, thou art needed, + Hasten to thine ailing children, + To observe their cruel tortures, + To dispel these fell diseases, + Drive destruction from our borders. + Bring with thee thy mighty fire-sword, + Bring to me thy blade of lightning, + That I may subdue these evils, + That these monsters I may banish, + Send these pains, and ills, and tortures, + To the empire of Tuoni, + To the kingdom of the east-winds, + To the islands of the wicked, + To the caverns of the demons, + To the rocks within the mountains, + To the hidden beds of iron, + That the rocks may fall and sicken, + And the beds of iron perish. + Rocks and metals do not murmur + At the hands of the invader. + "Torture-daughter of Tuoni, + Sitting on the mount of anguish, + At the junction of three rivers, + Turning rocks of pain and torture, + Turn away these fell diseases + Through the virtues of the blue-stone; + Lead them to the water-channels, + Sink them in the deeps of ocean, + Where the winds can never find them, + Where the sunlight never enters. + "Should this prayer prove unavailing, + O, Health-virgin, maid of beauty + Come and heal my dying people, + Still their agonies and anguish, + Give them consciousness and comfort, + Give them healthful rest and slumber; + These diseases take and banish, + Take them in thy copper vessel, + To thy eaves within the mountains, + To the summit of the Pain-rock, + Hurl them to thy boiling caldrons. + In the mountain is a touch-stone, + Lucky-stone of ancient story, + With a hole bored through the centre, + Through this pour these pains and tortures, + Wretched feelings, thoughts of evil, + Human ailments, days unlucky, + Tribulations, and misfortunes, + That they may not rise at evening, + May not see the light of morning." + Ending thus, old Wainamoinen, + The eternal, wise enchanter, + Rubbed his sufferers with balsams, + Rubbed the tissues, red and painful, + With the balm of healing flowers, + Balsams made of herbs enchanted, + Sprinkled all with healing vapors, + Spake these words in supplication. + "Ukko, thou who art in heaven, + God of justice, and of mercy, + Send us from the east a rain-cloud, + Send a dark cloud from the North-west, + From the north let fall a third one, + Send us mingled rain and honey, + Balsam from the great Physician, + To remove this plague of Northland. + What I know of healing measures, + Only comes from my Creator; + Lend me, therefore, of thy wisdom, + That I may relieve my people, + Save them from the fell destroyer, + If my hands should fall in virtue, + Let the hands of Ukko follow, + God alone can save from trouble. + Come to us with thine enchantment, + Speak the magic words of healing, + That my people may not perish; + Give to all alleviation + From their sicknesses and sorrows; + In the morning, in the evening, + Let their wasting ailments vanish; + Drive the Death-child from Wainola, + Nevermore to visit Northland, + Never in the course of ages, + Never while the moonlight glimmers + O'er the lakes of Kalevala." + Wainamoinen, the enchanter, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Thus expelled the nine diseases, + Evil children or Lowyatar, + Healed the tribes of Kalevala, + Saved his people from destruction. + + + + +RUNE XLVI. + + + + OTSO THE HONEY-EATER. + + + Came the tidings to Pohyola, + To the village of the Northland, + That Wainola had recovered + From her troubles and misfortunes, + From her sicknesses and sorrows. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Toothless dame of Sariola, + Envy-laden, spake these measures: + "Know I other means of trouble, + I have many more resources; + I will drive the bear before me, + From the heather and the mountain, + Drive him from the fen and forest, + Drive great Otso from the glen-wood + On the cattle of Wainola, + On the flocks of Kalevala." + Thereupon the Northland hostess + Drove the hungry bear of Pohya + From his cavern to the meadows, + To Wainola's plains and pastures. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + To his brother spake as follows: + "O thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Forge a spear from magic metals, + Forge a lancet triple-pointed, + Forge the handle out of copper, + That I may destroy great Otso, + Slay the mighty bear of Northland, + That he may not eat my horses, + Nor destroy my herds of cattle, + Nor the flocks upon my pastures." + Thereupon the skillful blacksmith + Forged a spear from magic metals, + Forged a lancet triple-pointed, + Not the longest, nor the shortest, + Forged the spear in wondrous beauty. + On one side a bear was sitting, + Sat a wolf upon the other, + On the blade an elk lay sleeping, + On the shaft a colt was running, + Near the hilt a roebuck bounding. + Snows had fallen from the heavens, + Made the flocks as white as ermine + Or the hare, in days of winter, + And the minstrel sang these measures: + "My desire impels me onward + To the Metsola-dominions, + To the homes of forest-maidens, + To the courts of the white virgins; + I will hasten to the forest, + Labor with the woodland-forces. + "Ruler of the Tapio-forests, + Make of me a conquering hero, + Help me clear these boundless woodlands. + O Mielikki, forest-hostess, + Tapio's wife, thou fair Tellervo, + Call thy dogs and well enchain them, + Set in readiness thy hunters, + Let them wait within their kennels. + "Otso, thou O Forest-apple, + Bear of honey-paws and fur-robes, + Learn that Wainamoinen follows, + That the singer comes to meet thee; + Hide thy claws within thy mittens, + Let thy teeth remain in darkness, + That they may not harm the minstrel, + May be powerless in battle. + Mighty Otso, much beloved, + Honey-eater of the mountains, + Settle on the rocks in slumber, + On the turf and in thy caverns; + Let the aspen wave above thee, + Let the merry birch-tree rustle + O'er thy head for thy protection. + Rest in peace, thou much-loved Otso, + Turn about within thy thickets, + Like the partridge at her brooding, + In the spring-time like the wild-goose." + When the ancient Wainamoinen + Heard his dog bark in the forest, + Heard his hunter's call and echo, + He addressed the words that follow: + "Thought it was the cuckoo calling, + Thought the pretty bird was singing; + It was not the sacred cuckoo, + Not the liquid notes of songsters, + 'Twas my dog that called and murmured, + 'Twas the echo of my hunter + At the cavern-doors of Otso, + On the border of the woodlands." + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + Finds the mighty bear in waiting, + Lifts in joy the golden covers, + Well inspects his shining fur-robes; + Lifts his honey-paws in wonder, + Then addresses his Creator: + "Be thou praised, O mighty Ukko, + As thou givest me great Otso, + Givest me the Forest-apple, + Thanks be paid to thee unending." + To the bear he spake these measures: + "Otso, thou my well beloved, + Honey-eater of the woodlands, + Let not anger swell thy bosom; + I have not the force to slay thee, + Willingly thy life thou givest + As a sacrifice to Northland. + Thou hast from the tree descended, + Glided from the aspen branches, + Slippery the trunks in autumn, + In the fog-days, smooth the branches. + Golden friend of fen and forest, + In thy fur-robes rich and beauteous, + Pride of woodlands, famous Light-foot, + Leave thy cold and cheerless dwelling, + Leave thy home within the alders, + Leave thy couch among the willows, + Hasten in thy purple stockings, + Hasten from thy walks restricted, + Come among the haunts of heroes, + Join thy friends in Kalevala. + We shall never treat thee evil, + Thou shalt dwell in peace and plenty, + Thou shalt feed on milk and honey, + Honey is the food of strangers. + Haste away from this thy covert, + From the couch of the unworthy, + To a couch beneath the rafters + Of Wainola's ancient dwellings. + Haste thee onward o'er the snow-plain, + As a leaflet in the autumn; + Skip beneath these birchen branches, + As a squirrel in the summer, + As a cuckoo in the spring-time." + Wainamoinen, the magician, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + O'er the snow-fields hastened homeward, + Singing o'er the hills and mountains, + With his guest, the ancient Otso, + With his friend, the famous Light-foot, + With the Honey-paw of Northland. + Far away was heard the singing, + Heard the playing of the hunter, + Heard the songs of Wainamoinen; + All the people heard and wondered, + Men and maidens, young and aged, + From their cabins spake as follows: + "Hear the echoes from the woodlands, + Hear the bugle from the forest, + Hear the flute-notes of the songsters, + Hear the pipes of forest-maidens!" + Wainamoinen, old and trusty, + Soon appears within the court-yard. + Rush the people from their cabins, + And the heroes ask these questions: + "Has a mine of gold been opened, + Hast thou found a vein of silver, + Precious jewels in thy pathway? + Does the forest yield her treasures, + Give to thee the Honey-eater? + Does the hostess of the woodlands, + Give to thee the lynx and adder, + Since thou comest home rejoicing, + Playing, singing, on thy snow-shoes?" + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Gave this answer to his people: + "For his songs I caught the adder, + Caught the serpent for his wisdom; + Therefore do I come rejoicing, + Singing, playing, on my snow-shoes. + Not the mountain lynx, nor serpent, + Comes, however, to our dwellings; + The Illustrious is coming, + Pride and beauty of the forest, + 'Tis the Master comes among us, + Covered with his friendly fur-robe. + Welcome, Otso, welcome, Light-foot, + Welcome, Loved-one from the glenwood! + If the mountain guest is welcome, + Open wide the gates of entry; + If the bear is thought unworthy, + Bar the doors against the stranger." + This the answer of the tribe-folk: + "We salute thee, mighty Otso, + Honey-paw, we bid thee welcome, + Welcome to our courts and cabins, + Welcome, Light-foot, to our tables + Decorated for thy coming! + We have wished for thee for ages, + Waiting since the days of childhood, + For the notes of Tapio's bugle, + For the singing of the wood-nymphs, + For the coming of dear Otso, + For the forest gold and silver, + Waiting for the year of plenty, + Longing for it as for summer, + As the shoe waits for the snow-fields, + As the sledge for beaten highways, + As the maiden for her suitor, + And the wife her husband's coming; + Sat at evening by the windows, + At the gates have, sat at morning, + Sat for ages at the portals, + Near the granaries in winter, Vanished, + Till the snow-fields warmed and + Till the sails unfurled in joyance, + Till the earth grew green and blossomed, + Thinking all the while as follows: + "Where is our beloved Otso, + Why delays our forest-treasure? + Has he gone to distant Ehstland, + To the upper glens of Suomi?" + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Whither shall I lead the stranger, + Whither take the golden Light-foot? + Shall I lead him to the garner, + To the house of straw conduct him?" + This the answer of his tribe-folk: + "To the dining-hall lead Otso, + Greatest hero of the Northland. + Famous Light-foot, Forest-apple, + Pride and glory of the woodlands, + Have no fear before these maidens, + Fear not curly-headed virgins, + Clad in silver-tinselled raiment + Maidens hasten to their chambers + When dear Otso joins their number, + When the hero comes among them." + This the prayer of Wainamoinen: + "Grant, O Ukko, peace and plenty + Underneath these painted rafters, + In this ornamented dweling; + Thanks be paid to gracious Ukko!" + Spake again the ancient minstrel: + "Whither shall we lead dear Otso, + 'Whither take the fur-clad stranger? + This the answer of his people: + "Hither let the fur-robed Light-foot + Be saluted on his coming; + Let the Honey-paw be welcomed + To the hearth-stone of the penthouse, + Welcomed to the boiling caldrons, + That we may admire his fur-robe, + May behold his cloak with joyance. + Have no care, thou much-loved Otso, + Let not anger swell thy bosom + As thy coat we view with pleasure; + We thy fur shall never injure, + Shall not make it into garments + To protect unworthy people." + Thereupon wise Wainamoinen + Pulled the sacred robe from Otso, + Spread it in the open court-yard, + Cut the members into fragments, + Laid them in the heating caldrons, + In the copper-bottomed vessels-- + O'er the fire the crane was hanging, + On the crane were hooks of copper, + On the hooks the broiling-vessels + Filled with bear-steak for the feasting, + Seasoned with the salt of Dwina, + From the Saxon-land imported, + From the distant Dwina-waters, + From the salt-sea brought in shallops. + Ready is the feast of Otso; + From the fire are swung the kettles + On the crane of polished iron; + In the centers of the tables + Is the bear displayed in dishes, + Golden dishes, decorated; + Of the fir-tree and the linden + Were the tables newly fashioned; + Drinking cups were forged from copper, + Knives of gold and spoons of silver; + Filled the vessels to their borders + With the choicest bits of Light-foot, + Fragments of the Forest-apple. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen + "Ancient one with bosom golden, + Potent voice in Tapio's councils + Metsola's most lovely hostess, + Hostess of the glen and forest, + Hero-son of Tapiola, + Stalwart youth in cap of scarlet, + Tapio's most beauteous virgin, + Fair Tellervo of the woodlands, + Metsola with all her people, + Come, and welcome, to the feasting, + To the marriage-feast of Otso! + All sufficient, the provisions, + Food to eat and drink abundant, + Plenty for the hosts assembled, + Plenty more to give the village." + This the question of the people: + "Tell us of the birth of Otso! + Was he born within a manger, + Was he nurtured in the bath-room + Was his origin ignoble?" + This is Wainamoinen's answer: + "Otso was not born a beggar, + Was not born among the rushes, + Was not cradled in a manger; + Honey-paw was born in ether, + In the regions of the Moon-land, + On the shoulders of Otava, + With the daughters of creation. + "Through the ether walked a maiden, + On the red rims of the cloudlets, + On the border of the heavens, + In her stockings purple-tinted, + In her golden-colored sandals. + In her hand she held a wool-box, + With a hair-box on her shoulder; + Threw the wool upon the ocean, + And the hair upon the rivers; + These are rocked by winds and waters, + Water-currents bear them onward, + Bear them to the sandy sea-shore, + Land them near the Woods of honey, + On an island forest-covered. + "Fair Mielikki, woodland hostess, + Tapio's most cunning daughter, + Took the fragments from the sea-side, + Took the white wool from the waters, + Sewed the hair and wool together, + Laid the bundle in her basket, + Basket made from bark of birch-wood, + Bound with cords the magic bundle; + With the chains of gold she bound it + To the pine-tree's topmost branches. + There she rocked the thing of magic, + Rocked to life the tender baby, + Mid the blossoms of the pine-tree, + On the fir-top set with needles; + Thus the young bear well was nurtured, + Thus was sacred Otso cradled + On the honey-tree of Northland, + In the middle of the forest. + "Sacred Otso grew and flourished, + Quickly grew with graceful movements, + Short of feet, with crooked ankles, + Wide of mouth and broad of forehead, + Short his nose, his fur-robe velvet; + But his claws were not well fashioned, + Neither were his teeth implanted. + Fair Mielikki, forest hostess, + Spake these words in meditation: + 'Claws I should be pleased to give him, + And with teeth endow the wonder, + Would he not abuse the favor.' + "Swore the bear a promise sacred, + On his knees before Mielikki, + Hostess of the glen and forest, + And before omniscient Ukko, + First and last of all creators, + That he would not harm the worthy, + Never do a deed of evil. + Then Mielikki, woodland hostess, + Wisest maid of Tapiola, + Sought for teeth and claws to give him, + From the stoutest mountain-ashes, + From the juniper and oak tree, + From the dry knots of the alder. + Teeth and claws of these were worthless, + Would not render goodly service. + "Grew a fir-tree on the mountain, + Grew a stately pine in Northland, + And the fir had silver branches, + Bearing golden cones abundant; + These the sylvan maiden gathered, + Teeth and claws of these she fashioned + In the jaws and feet of Otso, + Set them for the best of uses. + Then she freed her new-made creature, + Let the Light-foot walk and wander, + Let him lumber through the marshes, + Let him amble through the forest, + Roll upon the plains and pastures; + Taught him how to walk a hero, + How to move with graceful motion, + How to live in ease and pleasure, + How to rest in full contentment, + In the moors and in the marshes, + On the borders of the woodlands; + How unshod to walk in summer, + Stockingless to run in autumn; + How to rest and sleep in winter + In the clumps of alder-bushes + Underneath the sheltering fir-tree, + Underneath the pine's protection, + Wrapped securely in his fur-robes, + With the juniper and willow. + This the origin of Otso, + Honey-eater of the Northlands, + Whence the sacred booty cometh. + Thus again the people questioned: + Why became the woods so gracious, + Why so generous and friendly? + Why is Tapio so humored, + That he gave his dearest treasure, + Gave to thee his Forest-apple, + Honey-eater of his kingdom? + Was he startled with thine arrows, + Frightened with the spear and broadsword?" + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Gave this answer to the question: + "Filled with kindness was the forest, + Glen and woodland full of greetings, + Tapio showing greatest favor. + Fair Mielikki, forest hostess, + Metsola's bewitching daughter, + Beauteous woodland maid, Tellervo, + Gladly led me on my journey, + Smoothed my pathway through the glen-wood. + Marked the trees upon the mountains, + Pointing me to Otso's caverns, + To the Great Bear's golden island. + "When my journeyings had ended, + When the bear had been discovered, + Had no need to launch my javelins, + Did not need to aim the arrow; + Otso tumbled in his vaulting, + Lost his balance in his cradle, + In the fir-tree where he slumbered; + Tore his breast upon the branches, + Freely gave his life to others. + "Mighty Otso, my beloved, + Thou my golden friend and hero, + Take thy fur-cap from thy forehead, + Lay aside thy teeth forever, + Hide thy fingers in the darkness, + Close thy mouth and still thine anger, + While thy sacred skull is breaking. + "Now I take the eyes of Otso, + Lest he lose the sense of seeing, + Lest their former powers shall weaken; + Though I take not all his members, + Not alone must these be taken. + "Now I take the ears of Otso, + Lest he lose the sense of hearing, + Lest their former powers shall weaken; + Though I take not all his members, + Not alone must these be taken. + "Now I take the nose of Otso, + Lest he lose the sense of smelling, + Lest its former powers shall weaken; + Though I take not all his members, + Not alone must this be taken. + "Now I take the tongue of Otso, + Lest he lose the sense of tasting + Lest its former powers shall weaken; + Though I take not all his members, + Not alone must this be taken. + "Now I take the brain of Otso, + Lest he lose the means of thinking, + Lest his consciousness should fail him, + Lest his former instincts weaken; + Though I take not all his members, + Not alone must this be taken. + "I will reckon him a hero, + That will count the teeth of Light-foot, + That will loosen Otso's fingers + From their settings firmly fastened." + None he finds with strength sufficient + To perform the task demanded. + Therefore ancient Wainamoinen + Counts the teeth of sacred Otso; + Loosens all the claws of Light-foot, + With his fingers strong as copper, + Slips them from their firm foundations, + Speaking to the bear these measures: + "Otso, thou my Honey-eater, + Thou my Fur-ball of the woodlands, + Onward, onward, must thou journey + From thy low and lonely dwelling, + To the court-rooms of the village. + Go, my treasure, through the pathway + Near the herds of swine and cattle, + To the hill-tops forest covered, + To the high and rising mountains, + To the spruce-trees filled with needles, + To the branches of the pine-tree; + There remain, my Forest-apple, + Linger there in lasting slumber, + Where the silver bells are ringing, + To the pleasure of the shepherd." + Thus beginning, and thus ending, + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Hastened from his emptied tables, + And the children thus addressed him: + "Whither hast thou led thy booty, + Where hast left thy Forest-apple, + Sacred Otso of the woodlands? + Hast thou left him on the iceberg, + Buried him upon the snow-field? + Hast thou sunk him in the quicksand, + Laid him low beneath the heather?" + Wainamoinen spake in answer: + "Have not left him on the iceberg, + Have not buried him in snow-fields; + There the dogs would soon devour him, + Birds of prey would feast upon him; + Have not hidden him in Swamp-land, + Have not buried him in heather; + There the worms would live upon him, + Insects feed upon his body. + Thither I have taken Otso, + To the summit of the Gold-hill, + To the copper-bearing mountain, + Laid him in his silken cradle + In the summit of a pine-tree, + Where the winds and sacred branches + Rock him to his lasting slumber, + To the pleasure of the hunter, + To the joy of man and hero. + To the east his lips are pointing, + While his eyes are northward looking; + But dear Otso looks not upward, + For the fierceness of the storm-winds + Would destroy his sense of vision." + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Touched again his harp of joyance, + Sang again his songs enchanting, + To the pleasure of the evening, + To the joy of morn arising. + Spake the singer of Wainola: + "Light for me a torch of pine-wood, + For the darkness is appearing, + That my playing may be joyous + And my wisdom-songs find welcome." + Then the ancient sage and singer, + Wise and worthy Wainamoinen, + Sweetly sang and played, and chanted, + Through the long and dreary evening, + Ending thus his incantation: + "Grant, O Ukko, my Creator, + That the people of Wainola + May enjoy another banquet + In the company of Light-foot; + Grant that we may long remember + Kalevala's feast with Otso! + "Grant, O Ukko, my Creator, + That the signs may guide our footsteps, + That the notches in the pine-tree + May direct my faithful people + To the bear-dens of the woodlands; + That great Tapio's sacred bugle + May resound through glen and forest; + That the wood-nymph's call may echo, + May be heard in field and hamlet, + To the joy of all that listen! + Let great Tapio's horn for ages + Ring throughout the fen and forest, + Through the hills and dales of Northland + O'er the meadows and the mountains, + To awaken song and gladness + In the forests of Wainola, + On the snowy plains of Suomi, + On the meads of Kalevala, + For the coming generations." + + + + +RUNE XLVII. + + + + LOUHI STEALS SUN, MOON, AND FIRE. + + + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Touched again his magic harp-strings, + Sang in miracles of concord, + Filled the north with joy and gladness. + Melodies arose to heaven, + Songs arose to Luna's chambers, + Echoed through the Sun's bright windows + And the Moon has left her station, + Drops and settles in the birch-tree; + And the Sun comes from his castle, + Settles in the fir-tree branches, + Comes to share the common pleasure, + Comes to listen to the singing, + To the harp of Wainamoinen. + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Northland's old and toothless wizard, + Makes the Sun and Moon her captives; + In her arms she takes fair Luna + From her cradle in the birch-tree, + Calls the Sun down from his station, + From the fir-tree's bending branches, + Carries them to upper Northland, + To the darksome Sariola; + Hides the Moon, no more to glimmer, + In a rock of many colors; + Hides the Sun, to shine no longer, + In the iron-banded mountain; + Thereupon these words she utters: + "Moon of gold and Sun of silver, + Hide your faces in the caverns + Of Pohyola's dismal mountain; + Shine no more to gladden Northland, + Till I come to give ye freedom, + Drawn by coursers nine in number, + Sable coursers of one mother!" + When the golden Moon had vanished, + And the silver Sun had hidden + In the iron-banded caverns, + Louhi stole the fire from Northland, + From the regions of Wainola, + Left the mansions cold and cheerless, + And the cabins full of darkness. + Night was king and reigned unbroken, + Darkness ruled in Kalevala, + Darkness in the home of Ukko. + Hard to live without the moonlight, + Harder still without the sunshine; + Ukko's life is dark and dismal, + When the Sun and Moon desert him. + Ukko, first of all creators, + Lived in wonder at the darkness; + Long reflected, well considered, + Why this miracle in heaven, + What this accident in nature + To the Moon upon her journey; + Why the Sun no more is shining, + Why has disappeared the moonlight. + Then great Ukko walked the heavens, + To the border of the cloudlets, + In his purple-colored vestments, + In his silver-tinselled sandals, + Seeking for the golden moonlight, + Looking for the silver sunshine. + Lightning Ukko struck in darkness + From the edges of his fire-sword; + Shot the flames in all directions, + From his blade of golden color, + Into heaven's upper spaces, + Into Ether's starry pastures. + When a little fire had kindled, + Ukko hid it in the cloud-space, + In a box of gold and silver, + In a case adorned with silver, + Gave it to the ether-maidens, + Called a virgin then to rock it, + That it might become a new-moon, + That a second sun might follow. + On the long-cloud rocked the virgin, + On the blue-edge of the ether, + Rocked the fire of the Creator, + In her copper-colored cradle, + With her ribbons silver-studded. + Lowly bend the bands of silver, + Loud the golden cradle echoes, + And the clouds of Northland thunder, + Low descends the dome of heaven, + At the rocking of the lightning, + Rocking of the fire of Ukko. + Thus the flame was gently cradled + By the virgin of the ether. + Long the fair and faithful maiden + Stroked the Fire-child with her fingers, + Tended it with care and pleasure, + Till in an unguarded moment + It escaped the Ether-virgin, + Slipped the hands of her that nursed it. + Quick the heavens are burst asunder, + Quick the vault of Ukko opens, + Downward drops the wayward Fire-child, + Downward quick the red-ball rushes, + Shoots across the arch of heaven, + Hisses through the startled cloudlets, + Flashes through the troubled welkin, + Through nine starry vaults of ether. + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Spake and these the words he uttered: + "Blacksmith brother, Ilmarinen, + Let us haste and look together, + What the kind of fire that falleth, + What the form of light that shineth + From the upper vault of heaven, + From the lower earth and ocean. + Has a second moon arisen, + Can it be a ball of sunlight? + Thereupon the heroes wandered, + Onward journeyed and reflected, + How to gain the spot illumined, + How to find the sacred Fire-child. + Came a river rushing by them, + Broad and stately as an ocean. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + There began to build a vessel, + Build a boat to cross the river. + With the aid of Ilmarinen, + From the oak he cut the row-locks, + From the pine the oars be fashioned, + From the aspen shapes the rudder. + When the vessel they had finished, + Quick they rolled it to the current, + Hard they rowed and ever forward, + On the Nawa-stream and waters, + At the head of Nawa-river. + Ilmatar, the ether-daughter, + Foremost daughter of creation, + Came to meet them on their journey, + Thus addressed the coming strangers: + "Who are ye of Northland heroes, + Rowing on the Nawa-waters?" + Wainamoinen gave this answer: + "This the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + I the ancient Wainamoinen. + Tell us now thy name and station, + Whither going, whence thou comest, + Where thy tribe-folk live and linger? + Spake the daughter of the Ether: + "I the oldest of the women, + Am the first of Ether's daughters, + Am the first of ancient mothers; + Seven times have I been wedded. + To the heroes of creation. + Whither do ye strangers journey? + Answered thus old Wainamoinen: + "Fire has left Wainola's hearth-stones, + Light has disappeared from Northland; + Have been sitting long in darkness, + Cold and darkness our companions; + Now we journey to discover + What the fire that fell from heaven, + Falling from the cloud's red lining, + To the deeps of earth and ocean." + Ilmatar returned this answer: + "Hard the flame is to discover, + Hard indeed to find the Fire-child; + Has committed many mischiefs, + Nothing good has he accomplished; + Quick the fire-ball fell from ether, + From the red rims of the cloudlets, + From the plains of the Creator, + Through the ever-moving heavens, + Through the purple ether-spaces, + Through the blackened flues of Turi, + To Palwoinen's rooms uncovered. + When the fire had reached the chambers + Of Palwoinen, son of evil, + He began his wicked workings, + He engaged in lawless actions, + Raged against the blushing maidens, + Fired the youth to evil conduct, + Singed the beards of men and heroes. + "Where the mother nursed her baby, + In the cold and cheerless cradle, + Thither flew the wicked Fire-child, + There to perpetrate some mischief; + In the cradle burned the infant, + By the infant burned the mother, + That the babe might visit Mana, + In the kingdom of Tuoni; + Said the child was born for dying, + Only destined for destruction, + Through the tortures of the Fire-child. + Greater knowledge had the mother, + Did not journey to Manala, + Knew the word to check the red-flame, + How to banish the intruder + Through the eyelet of a needle, + Through the death-hole of the hatchet." + Then the ancient Wainamoinen + Questioned Ilmatar as follows: + "Whither did the Fire-child wander, + Whither did the red-flame hasten, + From the border-fields of Turi, + To the woods, or to the waters? + Straightway Ilmatar thus answers: + "When the fire had fled from Turi, + From the castles of Palwoinen, + Through the eyelet of the needle, + Through the death-hole of the hatchet, + First it burned the fields, and forests, + Burned the lowlands, and the heather; + Then it sought the mighty waters, + Sought the Alue-sea and river, + And the waters hissed and sputtered + In their anger at the Fire-child, + Fiery red the boiling Alue! + "Three times in the nights of, summer, + Nine times in the nights of autumn, + Boil the waters to the tree-tops, + Roll and tumble to the mountain, + Through the red-ball's force and fury; + Hurls the pike upon the pastures, + To the mountain-cliffs, the salmon, + Where the ocean-dwellers wonder, + Long reflect and well consider + How to still the angry waters. + Wept the salmon for his grotto, + Mourned the whiting for his cavern, + And the lake-trout for his dwelling, + Quick the crook-necked salmon darted, + Tried to catch the fire-intruder, + But the red-ball quick escaped him; + Darted then the daring whiting, + Swallowed quick the wicked Fire-child, + Swallowed quick the flame of evil. + Quiet grow the Alue-waters, + Slowly settle to their shore-lines, + To their long-accustomed places, + In the long and dismal evening. + "Time had gone but little distance, + When the whiting grow affrighted, + Fear befel the fire-devourer; + Burning pain and writhing tortures + Seized the eater of the Fire-child; + Swam the fish in all directions, + Called, and moaned, and swam, and circled, + Swam one day, and then a second, + Swam the third from morn till even; + Swam she to the whiting-island, + To the caverns of the salmon, + Where a hundred islands cluster; + And the islands there assembled + Thus addressed the fire-devourer: + 'There is none within these waters, + In this narrow Alue-lakelet, + That will eat the fated Fire-fish + That will swallow thee in trouble, + In thine agonies and torture + From the Fire-child thou hast eaten.' + "Hearing this a trout forth darting, + Swallowed quick as light the whiting, + Quickly ate the fire-devourer. + Time had gone but little distance, + When the trout became affrighted, + Fear befel the whiting-eater; + Burning pain and writhing torment + Seized the eater of the Fire-fish. + Swam the trout in all directions, + Called, and moaned, and swam, and circled, + Swam one day, and then a second, + Swain the third from morn till even; + Swam she to the salmon-island, + Swam she to the whiting-grottoes, + Where a thousand islands cluster, + And the islands there assembled + Thus addressed the tortured lake-trout: + 'There is none within this river, + In these narrow Alue-waters, + That will eat the wicked Fire-fish, + That will swallow thee in trouble, + In thine agonies and tortures, + From the Fire-fish thou hast eaten." + Hearing this the gray-pike darted, + Swallowed quick as light the lake-trout, + Quickly ate the tortured Fire-fish. + "Time had gone but little distance, + When the gray-pike grew affrighted, + Fear befel the lake-trout-eater; + Burning pain and writhing torment + Seized the reckless trout-devourer; + Swam the pike in all directions, + Called, and moaned, and swam, and circled, + Swam one day, and then a second, + Swam the third from morn till even, + To the cave of ocean-swallows, + To the sand-hills of the sea-gull, + Where a hundred islands cluster; + And the islands there assembled + Thus addressed the fire-devourer: + 'There is none within this lakelet, + In these narrow Alue-waters, + That will eat the fated Fire-fish, + That will swallow thee in trouble, + In thine agonies and tortures, + From the Fire-fish thou hast eaten.'" + Wainamoinen, wise and ancient, + With the aid of Ilmarinen, + Weaves with skill a mighty fish-net + From the juniper and sea-grass; + Dyes the net with alder-water, + Ties it well with thongs of willow. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + Called the maidens to the fish-net, + And the sisters came as bidden. + With the netting rowed they onward, + Rowed they to the hundred islands, + To the grottoes of the salmon, + To the caverns of the whiting, + To the reeds of sable color, + Where the gray-pike rests and watches. + On they hasten to the fishing, + Drag the net in all directions, + Drag it lengthwise, sidewise, crosswise, + And diagonally zigzag; + But they did not catch the Fire-fish. + Then the brothers went a-fishing, + Dragged the net in all directions, + Backwards, forwards, lengthwise, sidewise, + Through the homes of ocean-dwellers, + Through the grottoes of the salmon, + Through the dwellings of the whiting, + Through the reed-beds of the lake-trout, + Where the gray-pike lies in ambush; + But the fated Fire-fish came not, + Came not from the lake's abysses, + Came not from the Alue-waters. + Little fish could not be captured + In the large nets of the masters; + Murmured then the deep-sea-dwellers, + Spake the salmon to the lake-trout, + And the lake-trout to the whiting, + And the whiting to the gray-pike: + Have the heroes of Wainola + Died, or have they all departed + From these fertile shores and waters? + Where then are the ancient weavers, + Weavers of the nets of flax-thread, + Those that frighten us with fish-poles, + Drag us from our homes unwilling?" + Hearing this wise Wainamoinen + Answered thus the deep-sea-dwellers: + "Neither have Wainola's heroes + Died, nor have they all departed + From these fertile shores and waters, + Two are born where one has perished; + Longer poles and finer fish-nets + Have the sons of Kalevala!" + + + + +RUNE XLVIII. + + + + CAPTURE OF THE FIRE-FISH. + + + Wainamoinen, the enchanter, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + Long reflected, well considered, + How to weave the net of flax-yarn, + Weave the fish-net of the fathers. + Spake the minstrel of Wainola: + "Who will plow the field and fallow, + Sow the flax, and spin the flax-threads, + That I may prepare the fish-net, + Wherewith I may catch the Fire-pike, + May secure the thing of evil?" + Soon they found a fertile island, + Found the fallow soil befitting, + On the border of the heather, + And between two stately oak-trees. + They prepared the soil for sowing. + Searching everywhere for flax-seed, + Found it in Tuoni's kingdom, + In the keeping of an insect. + Then they found a pile of ashes, + Where the fire had burned a vessel; + In the ashes sowed the seedlings + Near the Alue-lake and border, + In the rich and loamy fallow. + There the seed took root and flourished, + Quickly grew to great proportions, + In a single night in summer. + Thus the flax was sowed at evening, + Placed within the earth by moonlight; + Quick it grew, and quickly ripened, + Quick Wainola's heroes pulled it, + Quick they broke it on the hackles, + Hastened with it to the waters, + Dipped it in the lake and washed it; + Quickly brought it borne and dried it. + Quickly broke, and combed, and smoothed it, + Brushed it well at early morning, + Laid it into laps for spinning + Quick the maidens twirl the spindles, + Spin the flaxen threads for weaving, + In a single night in summer. + Quick the sisters wind and reel it, + Make it ready for the needle. + Brothers weave it into fish-nets, + And the fathers twist the cordage, + While the mothers knit the meshes, + Rapidly the mesh-stick circles; + Soon the fish-net is completed, + In a single night in summer. + As the magic net is finished, + And in length a hundred fathoms, + On the rim three hundred fathoms. + Rounded stones are fastened to it, + Joined thereto are seven float-boards. + Now the young men take the fish-net, + And the old men cheer them onward, + Wish them good-luck at their fishing. + Long they row and drag the flax-seine, + Here and there the net is lowered; + Now they drag it lengthwise, sidewise, + Drag it through the slimy reed-beds; + But they do not catch the Fire-pike, + Only smelts, and luckless red-fish, + Little fish of little value. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "O thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Let us go ourselves a-fishing, + Let us catch the fish of evil!" + To the fishing went the brothers, + Magic heroes of the Northland, + Pulled the fish-net through the waters, + Toward an island in the deep-sea + Then they turn and drag the fish-net + Toward a meadow jutting seaward; + Now they drag it toward Wainola, + Draw it lengthwise, sidewise, crosswise, + Catching fish of every species, + salmon, trout, and pike, and whiting, + Do not catch the evil Fire-fish. + Then the master, Wainamoinen, + Made additions to its borders, + Made it many fathoms wider, + And a hundred fathoms longer, + Then these words the hero uttered + "Famous blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Let us go again a-fishing, + Row again the magic fish-net, + Drag it well through all the waters, + That we may obtain the Fire-pike!" + Thereupon the Northland heroes + Go a second time a-fishing, + Drag their nets across the rivers, + Lakelets, seas, and bays, and inlets, + Catching fish of many species, + But the Fire-fish is not taken. + Wainamoinen, ancient singer, + Long reflecting, spake these measures: + "Dear Wellamo, water-hostess, + Ancient mother with the reed-breast, + Come, exchange thy water-raiment, + Change thy coat of reeds and rushes + For the garments I shall give thee, + Light sea-foam, thine inner vesture, + And thine outer, moss and sea-grass, + Fashioned by the wind's fair daughters, + Woven by the flood's sweet maidens; + I will give thee linen vestments + Spun from flax of softest fiber, + Woven by the Moon's white virgins, + Fashioned by the Sun's bright daughters + Fitting raiment for Wellamo! + "Ahto, king of all the waters, + Ruler of a thousand grottoes, + Take a pole of seven fathoms, + Search with this the deepest waters, + Rummage well the lowest bottoms; + Stir up all the reeds and sea-weeds, + Hither drive a school of gray-pike, + Drive them to our magic fish-net, + From the haunts in pike abounding, + From the caverns, and the trout-holes, + From the whirlpools of the deep-sea, + From the bottomless abysses, + Where the sunshine never enters, + Where the moonlight never visits, + And the sands are never troubled." + Rose a pigmy from the waters, + From the floods a little hero, + Riding on a rolling billow, + And the pigmy spake these measures: + "Dost thou wish a worthy helper, + One to use the pole and frighten + Pike and salmon to thy fish-nets?" + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Answered thus the lake-born hero: + "Yea, we need a worthy helper, + One to hold the pole, and frighten + Pike and salmon to our fish-nets." + Thereupon the water-pigmy + Cut a linden from the border, + Spake these words to Wainamoinen: + "Shall I scare with all my powers, + With the forces of my being, + As thou needest shall I scare them?" + Spake the minstrel, Wainamoinen: + "If thou scarest as is needed, + Thou wilt scare with all thy forces, + With the strength of thy dominions." + Then began the pigmy-hero, + To affright the deep-sea-dwellers; + Drove the fish in countless numbers + To the net of the magicians. + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Drew his net along the waters, + Drew it with his ropes of flax-thread, + Spake these words of magic import: + "Come ye fish of Northland waters + To the regions of my fish-net, + As my hundred meshes lower." + Then the net was drawn and fastened, + Many were the gray-pike taken + By he master and magician. + Wainamoinen, happy-hearted, + Hastened to a neighboring island, + To a blue-point in the waters, + Near a red-bridge on the headland; + Landed there his draught of fishes, + Cast the pike upon the sea-shore, + And the Fire-pike was among them, + Cast the others to the waters. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "May I touch thee with my fingers, + Using not my gloves of iron, + Using not my blue-stone mittens? + This the Sun-child hears and answers: + "I should like to carve the Fire-fish, + I should like this pike to handle, + If I had the knife of good-luck." + Quick a knife falls from the heavens, + From the clouds a magic fish-knife, + Silver-edged and golden-headed, + To the girdle of the Sun-child; + Quick he grasps the copper handle, + Quick the hero carves the Fire-pike, + Finds therein the tortured lake-trout; + Carves the lake-trout thus discovered. + Finds therein the fated whiting; + Carves the whiting, finds a blue-ball + In the third cave of his body. + He, the blue-ball quick unwinding, + Finds within a ball of scarlet; + Carefully removes the cover, + Finds the ball of fire within it, + Finds the flame from heaven fallen, + From the heights of the seventh heaven, + Through nine regions of the ether. + Wainamoinen long reflected + How to get the magic fire-ball + To Wainola's fireless hearth-stones, + To his cold and cheerless dwellings. + Quick he snatched the fire of heaven + From the fingers of the Sun-child. + Wainamoinen's beard it singes, + Burns the brow of Ilmarinen, + Burns the fingers of the blacksmith. + Rolling forth it hastens westward, + Hastens to the Alue shore-lines, + Burns the juniper and alder, + Burns the and heath and meadow, + Rises to the lofty linden, + Burns the firs upon the mountains; + Hastens onward, onward, onward, + Burns the islands of the Northland, + Burns the Sawa fields and forests, + Burns the dry lands of Karyala. + Straightway ancient Wainamoinen + Hastens through the fields and fenlands, + Tracks the ranger to the glen-wood, + Finds the Fire-child in an elm-tree, + Sleeping in a bed of fungus. + Thereupon wise Wainamoinen + Wakes the child and speaks these measures: + "Wicked fire that God created, + Flame of Ukko from the heavens, + Thou hast gone in vain to sea-caves, + To the lakes without a reason; + Better go thou to my village, + To the hearth-stones of my people; + Hide thyself within my chimneys, + In mine ashes sleep and linger. + In the day-time I will use thee + To devour the blocks of birch-wood; + In the evening I will hide thee + Underneath the golden circle." + Then he took the willing Panu, + Took the willing fire of Ukko, + Laid it in a box of tinder, + In the punk-wood of a birch-tree, + In a vessel forged from copper; + Carried it with care and pleasure + To the fog-point in the waters, + To the island forest covered. + Thus returned the fire to Northland, + To the chambers of Wainola, + To the hearths of Kalevala. + Ilmarinen, famous blacksmith, + Hastened to the deep-sea's margin, + Sat upon the rock of torture, + Feeling pain the flame had given, + Laved his wounds with briny water, + Thus to still the Fire-child's fury, + Thus to end his persecutions. + Long reflecting, Ilmarinen + Thus addressed the flame of Ukko: + "Evil Panu from the heavens, + Wicked son of God from ether, + Tell me what has made thee angry, + Made thee burn my weary members, + Burn my beard, and face, and fingers, + Made me suffer death-land tortures? + Spake again young Ilmarinen: + "How can I wild Panu conquer, + How shall I control his conduct, + Make him end his evil doings? + Come, thou daughter from Pohyola, + Come, white virgin of the hoar-frost, + Come on shoes of ice from Lapland, + Icicles upon thy garments, + In one band a cup of white-frost, + In the other hand an ice-spoon; + Sprinkle snow upon my members, + Where the Fire-child has been resting, + Let the hoar-frost fall and settle. + "Should this prayer be unavailing, + Come, thou son of Sariola, + Come, thou child of Frost from Pohya, + Come, thou Long-man from the ice-plains, + Of the height of stately pine-trees, + Slender as the trunks of lindens, + On thy hands the gloves of Hoar-frost, + Cap of ice upon thy forehead, + On thy waist a white-frost girdle; + Bring the ice-dust from Pohyola, + From the cold and sunless village. + Rain is crystallized in Northland, + Ice in Pohya is abundant, + Lakes of ice and ice-bound rivers, + Frozen smooth, the sea of ether. + Bounds the hare in frosted fur-robe, + Climbs the bear in icy raiment, + Ambles o'er the snowy mountains. + Swans of frost descend the rivers, + Ducks of ice in countless numbers + Swim upon thy freezing waters, + Near the cataract and whirlpool. + Bring me frost upon thy snow-sledge, + Snow and ice in great abundance, + From the summit of the wild-top, + From the borders of the mountains. + With thine ice, and snow, and hoar-frost + Cover well mine injured members + Where wild Panu has been resting, + Where the child of Fire has lingered. + "Should this call be ineffective, + Ukko, God of love and mercy, + First and last of the creators, + From the east send forth a snow-cloud, + From the west despatch a second, + Join their edges well together, + Let there be no vacant places, + Let these clouds bring snow and + Lay the healing balm of Ukko + On my burning, tortured tissues, + Where wild Panu has been resting." + Thus the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + Stills the pains by fire engendered, + Stills the agonies and tortures + Brought him by the child of evil, + Brought him by the wicked Panu. + + + + +RUNE XLIX. + + + + RESTORATION OF THE SUN AND MOON. + + + Thus has Fire returned to Northland + But the gold Moon is not shining, + Neither gleams the silver sunlight + In the chambers of Wainola, + On the plains of Kalevala. + On the crops the white-frost settled, + And the cattle died of hunger, + Even birds grew sick and perished. + Men and maidens, faint and famished, + Perished in the cold and darkness, + From the absence of the sunshine, + From the absence of the moonlight. + Knew the pike his holes and hollows, + And the eagle knew his highway, + Knew the winds the times for sailing; + But the wise men of the Northland + Could not know the dawn of morning, + On the fog-point in the ocean, + On the islands forest-covered. + Young and aged talked and wondered, + Well reflected, long debated, + How to live without the moonlight, + Live without the silver sunshine, + In the cold and cheerless Northland, + In the homes of Kalevala. + Long conjectured all the maidens, + Orphans asked the wise for counsel. + Spake a maid to Ilmarinen, + Running to the blacksmith's furnace: + "Rise, O artist, from thy slumbers, + Hasten from thy couch unworthy; + Forge from gold the Moon for Northland, + Forge anew the Sun from silver + Cannot live without the moonlight, + Nor without the silver sunshine!" + From his couch arose the artist, + From his couch of stone, the blacksmith, + And began his work of forging, + Forging Sun and Moon for Northland. + Came the ancient Wainamoinen, + In the doorway sat and lingered, + Spake, these Words to Ilmarinen: + "Blacksmith, my beloved brother, + Thou the only metal-worker, + Tell me why thy magic hammer + Falls so heavy on thine anvil?" + Spake the youthful Ilmarinen: + "Moon of gold and Sun of silver, + I am forging for Wainola; + I shall swing them into ether, + Plant them in the starry heavens." + Spake the wise, old Wainamoinen: + "Senseless blacksmith of the ages, + Vainly dost thou swing thy hammer, + Vainly rings thy mighty anvil; + Silver will not gleam as sunshine, + Not of gold is born the moonlight!" + Ilmarinen, little heeding, + Ceases not to ply his hammer, + Sun and Moon the artist forges, + Wings the Moon of Magic upward, + Hurls it to the pine-tree branches; + Does not shine without her master. + Then the silver Sun he stations + In an elm-tree on the mountain. + From his forehead drip the sweat-drops, + Perspiration from his fingers, + Through his labors at the anvil + While the Sun and Moon were forging; + But the Sun shone not at morning + From his station in the elm-tree; + And the Moon shone not at evening + From the pine-tree's topmost branches. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Let the Fates be now consulted, + And the oracles examined; + Only thus may we discover + Where the Sun and Moon lie hidden." + Thereupon old Wainamoinen, + Only wise and true magician, + Cut three chips from trunks of alder, + Laid the chips in magic order, + Touched and turned them with his fingers, + Spake these words of master-magic: + "Of my Maker seek I knowledge, + Ask in hope and faith the answer + From the great magician, Ukko: + Tongue of alder, tell me truly, + Symbol of the great Creator, + Where the Sun and Moon are sleeping; + For the Moon shines not in season, + Nor appears the Sun at midday, + From their stations in the sky-vault. + Speak the truth, O magic alder, + Speak not words of man, nor hero, + Hither bring but truthful measures. + Let us form a sacred compact: + If thou speakest me a falsehood, + I will hurl thee to Manala, + Let the nether fires consume thee, + That thine evil signs may perish." + Thereupon the alder answered, + Spake these words of truthful import: + "Verily the Sun lies hidden + And the golden Moon is sleeping + In the stone-berg of Pohyola, + In the copper-bearing mountain." + These the words of Wainamoinen: + "I shall go at once to Northland, + To the cold and dark Pohyola, + Bring the Sun and Moon to gladden + All Wainola's fields and forests." + Forth he hastens on his journey, + To the dismal Sariola, + To the Northland cold and dreary; + Travels one day, then a second, + So the third from morn till evening, + When appear the gates of Pohya, + With her snow-clad hills and mountains. + Wainamoinen, the magician, + At the river of Pohyola, + Loudly calls the ferry-maiden: + Bring a boat, O Pohya-daughter, + Bring a strong and trusty vessel, + Row me o'er these chilling waters, + O'er this rough and rapid river!" + But the Ferry-maiden heard not, + Did not listen to his calling. + Thereupon old Wainamoinen, + Laid a pile of well-dried brush-wood, + Knots and needles of the fir-tree, + Made a fire beside the river, + Sent the black smoke into heaven + Curling to the home of Ukko. + Louhi, hostess of the Northland, + Hastened to her chamber window, + Looked upon the bay and river, + Spake these words to her attendants: + "Why the fire across the river + Where the current meets the deep-sea, + Smaller than the fires of foemen, + Larger than the flames of hunters?" + Thereupon a Pohyalander + Hastened from the court of Louhi + That the cause he might discover,' + Bring the sought-for information + To the hostess of Pohyola; + Saw upon the river-border + Some great hero from Wainola. + Wainamoinen saw the stranger, + Called again in tones of thunder: + "Bring a skiff; thou son of Northland, + For the minstrel, Wainamoinen! + Thus the Pohyalander answered: + "Here no skiffs are lying idle, + Row thyself across the waters, + Use thine arms, and feet, and fingers, + To propel thee o'er the river, + O'er the sacred stream of Pohya." + Wainamoinen, long reflecting, + Bravely thus soliloquizes: + "I will change my form and features, + Will assume a second body, + Neither man, nor ancient minstrel, + Master of the Northland waters!" + Then the singer, Wainamoinen, + Leaped, a pike, upon the waters, + Quickly swam the rapid river, + Gained the frigid Pohya-border. + There his native form resuming, + Walked he as a mighty hero, + On the dismal isle of Louhi, + Spake the wicked sons of Northland: + Come thou to Pohyola's court-room." + To Pohyola's, court he hastened. + Spake again the sons of evil: + Come thou to the halls of Louhi!" + To Pohyola's halls he hastened. + On the latch he laid his fingers, + Set his foot within the fore-hall, + Hastened to the inner chamber, + Underneath the painted rafters, + Where the Northland-heroes gather. + There he found the Pohya-masters + Girded with their swords of battle, + With their spears and battle-axes, + With their fatal bows and arrows, + For the death of Wainamoinen, + Ancient bard, Suwantolainen. + Thus they asked the hero-stranger. + "Magic swimmer of the Northland, + Son of evil, what the message + That thou bringest from thy people, + What thy mission to Pohyola?" + Wainamoinen, old and truthful, + Thus addressed the hosts of Louhi: + "For the Sun I come to Northland, + Come to seek the Moon in Pohya; + Tell me where the Sun lies hidden, + Where the golden Moon is sleeping." + Spake the evil sons of Pohya: + "Both the Sun and Moon are hidden + In the rock of many colors, + In the copper-bearing mountain, + In a cavern iron-banded, + In the stone-berg of Pohyola, + Nevermore to gain their freedom, + Nevermore to shine in Northland!" + Spake the hero, Wainamoinen: + "If the Sun be not uncovered, + If the Moon leave not her dungeon, + I will challenge all Pohyola + To the test of spear or broadsword, + Let us now our weapons measure!" + Quick the hero of Wainola + Drew his mighty sword of magic; + On its border shone the moonlight, + On its hilt the Sun was shining, + On its back, a neighing stallion, + On its face a cat was mewing, + Beautiful his magic weapon. + Quick the hero-swords are tested, + And the blades are rightly measured + Wainamoinen's sword is longest + By a single grain of barley, + By a blade of straw, the widest. + To the court-yard rushed the heroes, + Hastened to the deadly combat, + On the plains of Sariola. + Wainamoinen, the magician, + Strikes one blow, and then a second, + Strikes a third time, cuts and conquers. + As the house-maids slice the turnips, + As they lop the heads of cabbage, + As the stalks of flax are broken, + So the heads of Louhi's heroes + Fall before the magic broadsword + Of the ancient Wainamoinen. + Then victor from Wainola, + Ancient bard and great magician, + Went to find the Sun in slumber, + And the golden Moon discover, + In, the copper-bearing Mountains, + In the cavern iron-banded, + In the stone-berg of Pohyola. + He had gone but little distance, + When he found a sea-green island; + On the island stood a birch-tree, + Near the birch-tree stood a pillar + Carved in stone of many colors; + In the pillar, nine large portals + Bolted in a hundred places; + In the rock he found a crevice + Sending forth a gleam of sunlight. + Quick he drew his mighty broadsword, + From the pillar struck three colors, + From the magic of his weapon; + And the pillar fell asunder, + Three the number of the fragments. + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Through the crevice looked and wondered. + In the center of the pillar, + From a scarlet-colored basin, + Noxious serpents beer were drinking, + And the adders eating spices. + Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: + "Therefore has Pohyola's hostess + Little drink to give to strangers, + Since her beer is drank by serpents, + And her spices given to adders." + Quick he draws his magic fire-blade, + Cuts the vipers green in pieces, + Lops the heads off all the adders, + Speaks these words of master-magic: + Thus, hereafter, let the serpent + Drink the famous beer of barley, + Feed upon the Northland-spices!" + Wainamoinen, the magician, + The eternal wizard-singer, + Sought to open wide the portals + With the hands and words of magic; + But his hands had lost their cunning, + And his magic gone to others. + Thereupon the ancient minstrel + Quick returning, heavy-hearted, + To his native halls and hamlets, + Thus addressed his brother-heroes: + "Woman, he without his weapons, + With no implements, a weakling! + Sun and Moon have I discovered, + But I could not force the Portals + Leading to their rocky cavern + In the copper bearing mountain. + Spake the reckless Lemminkainen + "O thou ancient Wainamoinen, + Why was I not taken with thee + To become, thy war-companion? + Would have been of goodly service, + Would have drawn the bolts or broken, + All the portals to the cavern, + Where the Sun and Moon lie hidden + In the copper-bearing mountain!" + Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, + Thus replied to Lemminkainen: + "Empty Words will break no portals, + Draw no bolts of any moment; + Locks and bolts are never broken. + With the words of little wisdom! + Greater means than thou commandest + Must be used to free the sunshine, + Free the moonlight from her dungeon." + Wainamoinen, not discouraged, + Hastened to the forge and smithy, + Spake these words to Ilmarinen: + "O thou famous metal-artist, + Forge for me a magic trident, + Forge from steel a dozen stout-rings, + Master-keys, a goodly number, + Iron bars and heavy hammers, + That the Sun we may uncover + In the copper-bearing mountain, + In the stone-berg of Pohyola." + Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + The eternal metal-worker, + Forged the needs of Wainamoinen, + Forged for him the magic trident, + Forged from steel a dozen stout-rings, + Master-keys a goodly number, + Iron bars and heavy hammers, + Not the largest, nor the smallest, + Forged them of the right dimensions. + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Northland's old and toothless wizard, + Fastened wings upon her shoulders, + As an eagle, sailed the heavens, + Over field, and fen, and forest, + Over Pohya's many, waters, + To the hamlets of Wainola, + To the forge of Ilmarinen. + Quick the famous metal-worker + Went to see if winds were blowing; + Found the winds at peace and silent, + Found an eagle, sable-colored, + Perched upon his window-casement. + Spake the artist, Ilmarinen: + "Magic bird, whom art thou seeking, + Why art sitting at my window?" + This the answer of the eagle: + "Art thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen, + The eternal iron-forger, + Master of the magic metals, + Northland's wonder-working artist?" + Ilmarinen gave this answer: + "There is nothing here of wonder, + Since I forged the dome of heaven, + Forged the earth a concave cover!" + Spake again the magic eagle: + Why this ringing of thine anvil, + Why this knocking of thy hammer, + Tell me what thy hands are forging?" + This the answer of the blacksmith: + "'Tis a collar I am forging + For the neck of wicked Louhi, + Toothless witch of Sariola, + Stealer of the silver sunshine, + Stealer of the golden moonlight; + With this collar I shall bind her + To the iron-rock of Ehstland!" + Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, + Saw misfortune fast approaching, + Saw destruction flying over, + Saw the signs of bad-luck lower; + Quickly winged her way through ether + To her native halls and chambers, + To the darksome Sariola, + There unlocked the massive portals + Where the Sun and Moon were hidden, + In the rock of many colors, + In the cavern iron-banded, + In the copper-bearing mountain. + Then again the wicked Louhi + Changed her withered form and features, + And became a dove of good-luck; + Straightway winged the starry heavens, + Over field, and fen, and forest, + To the meadows of Wainola, + To the plains of Kalevala, + To the forge of Ilmarinen. + This the question of the blacksmith + "Wherefore comest, dove of good-luck, + What the tidings that thou bringest?" + Thus the magic bird made answer: + "Wherefore come I to thy smithy? + Come to bring the joyful tidings + That the Sun has left his cavern, + Left the rock of many colors, + Left the stone-berg of Pohyola; + That the Moon no more is hidden + In the copper-bearing mountains, + In the caverns iron-banded." + Straightway hastened Ilmarinen + To the threshold of his smithy, + Quickly scanned the far horizon, + Saw again the silver sunshine, + Saw once more the golden moonlight, + Bringing peace, and joy, and plenty, + To the homes of Kalevala. + Thereupon the blacksmith hastened + To his brother, Wainamoinen, + Spake these words to the magician: + "O thou ancient bard and minstrel, + The eternal wizard-singer + See, the Sun again is shining, + And the golden Moon is beaming + From their long-neglected places, + From their stations in the sky-vault!" + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Straightway hastened to the court-yard, + Looked upon the far horizon, + Saw once more the silver sunshine, + Saw again the golden moonlight, + Bringing peace, and joy, and plenty, + To the people of the Northland, + And the minstrel spake these measures: + "Greetings to thee, Sun of fortune, + Greetings to thee, Moon of good-luck, + Welcome sunshine, welcome moonlight, + Golden is the dawn of morning! + Free art thou, O Sun of silver, + Free again, O Moon beloved, + As the sacred cuckoo's singing, + As the ring-dove's liquid cooings. + "Rise, thou silver Sun, each Morning, + Source of light and life hereafter, + Bring us, daily, joyful greetings, + Fill our homes with peace and plenty, + That our sowing, fishing, hunting, + May be prospered by thy coming. + Travel on thy daily journey, + Let the Moon be ever with thee; + Glide along thy way rejoicing, + End thy journeyings in slumber; + Rest at evening in the ocean, + When the daily cares have ended, + To the good of all thy people, + To the pleasure Of Wainoloa, + To the joy of Kalevala!" + + + + +RUNE L. + + + + MARIATTA--WAINAMOINEN'S DEPARTURE. + + + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Grew to maidenhood in Northland, + In the cabin of her father, + In the chambers of her mother, + Golden ringlets, silver girdles, + Worn against the keys paternal, + Glittering upon her bosom; + Wore away the father's threshold + With the long robes of her garments; + Wore away the painted rafters + With her beauteous silken ribbons; + Wore away the gilded pillars + With the touching of her fingers; + Wore away the birchen flooring + With the tramping of her fur-shoes. + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Magic maid of little stature, + Guarded well her sacred virtue, + Her sincerity and honor, + Fed upon the dainty whiting, + On the inner bark of birch-wood, + On the tender flesh of lambkins. + When she hastened in the evening + To her milking in the hurdles, + Spake in innocence as follows: + "Never will the snow-white virgin + Milk the kine of one unworthy!" + When she journeyed over snow-fields, + On the seat beside her father, + Spake in purity as follows: + "Not behind a steed unworthy + Will I ever ride the snow-sledge!" + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Lived a virgin with her mother, + As a maiden highly honored, + Lived in innocence and beauty, + Daily drove her flocks to pasture, + Walking with the gentle lambkins. + When the lambkins climbed the mountains, + When they gamboled on the hill-tops, + Stepped the virgin to the meadow, + Skipping through a grove of lindens, + At the calling of the cuckoo, + To the songster's golden measures. + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Looked about, intently listened, + Sat upon the berry-meadow + Sat awhile, and meditated + On a hillock by the forest, + And soliloquized as follows: + "Call to me, thou golden cuckoo, + Sing, thou sacred bird of Northland, + Sing, thou silver breasted songster, + Speak, thou strawberry of Ehstland, + Tell bow long must I unmarried, + As a shepherdess neglected, + Wander o'er these bills and mountains, + Through these flowery fens and fallows. + Tell me, cuckoo of the woodlands, + Sing to me how many summers + I must live without a husband, + As a shepherdess neglected!" + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Lived a shepherd-maid for ages, + As a virgin with her mother. + Wretched are the lives of shepherds, + Lives of maidens still more wretched, + Guarding flocks upon the mountains; + Serpents creep in bog and stubble, + On the greensward dart the lizards; + But it was no serpent singing, + Nor a sacred lizard calling, + It was but the mountain-berry + Calling to the lonely maiden: + "Come, O virgin, come and pluck me, + Come and take me to thy bosom, + Take me, tinsel-breasted virgin, + Take me, maiden, copper-belted, + Ere the slimy snail devours me, + Ere the black-worm feeds upon me. + Hundreds pass my way unmindful, + Thousands come within my hearing, + Berry-maidens swarm about me, + Children come in countless numbers, + None of these has come to gather, + Come to pluck this ruddy berry." + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Listened to its gentle pleading, + Ran to pick the berry, calling, + With her fair and dainty fingers,. + Saw it smiling near the meadow, + Like a cranberry in feature, + Like a strawberry in flavor; + But be Virgin, Mariatta, + Could not pluck the woodland-stranger, + Thereupon she cut a charm-stick, + Downward pressed upon the berry, + When it rose as if by magic, + Rose above her shoes of ermine, + Then above her copper girdle, + Darted upward to her bosom, + Leaped upon the maiden's shoulder, + On her dimpled chin it rested, + On her lips it perched a moment, + Hastened to her tongue expectant + To and fro it rocked and lingered, + Thence it hastened on its journey, + Settled in the maiden's bosom. + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Thus became a bride impregnate, + Wedded to the mountain-berry; + Lingered in her room at morning, + Sat at midday in the darkness, + Hastened to her couch at evening. + Thus the watchful mother wonders: + "What has happened to our Mary, + To our virgin, Mariatta, + That she throws aside her girdle, + Shyly slips through hall and chamber, + Lingers in her room at morning, + Hastens to her couch at evening, + Sits at midday in the darkness?" + On the floor a babe was playing, + And the young child thus made answer: + "This has happened to our Mary, + To our virgin, Mariatta, + This misfortune to the maiden: + She has lingered by the meadows, + Played too long among the lambkins, + Tasted of the mountain-berry." + Long the virgin watched and waited, + Anxiously the days she counted, + Waiting for the dawn of trouble. + Finally she asked her mother, + These the words of Mariatta: + "Faithful mother, fond and tender, + Mother whom I love and cherish, + Make for me a place befitting, + Where my troubles may be lessened, + And my heavy burdens lightened." + This the answer of the mother: + "Woe to thee, thou Hisi-maiden, + Since thou art a bride unworthy, + Wedded only to dishonor!" + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Thus replied in truthful measures: + "I am not a maid of Hisi, + I am not a bride unworthy, + Am not wedded to dishonor; + As a shepherdess I wandered + With the lambkins to the glen-wood, + Wandered to the berry-mountain, + Where the strawberry had ripened; + Quick as thought I plucked the berry, + On my tongue I gently laid it, + To and fro it rocked and lingered, + Settled in my heaving bosom. + This the source of all my trouble, + Only cause of my dishonor!" + As the mother was relentless, + Asked the maiden of her father, + This the virgin-mother's pleading: + O my father, full of pity, + Source of both my good and evil, + Build for me a place befitting, + Where my troubles may be lessened, + And my heavy burdens lightened." + This the answer of the father, + Of the father unforgiving: + "Go, thou evil child of Hisi, + Go, thou child of sin and sorrow, + Wedded only to dishonor, + To the Great Bear's rocky chamber, + To the stone-cave of the growler, + There to lessen all thy troubles, + There to cast thy heavy burdens!" + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Thus made answer to her father: + "I am not a child of Hisi, + I am not a bride unworthy, + Am not wedded to dishonor; + I shall bear a noble hero, + I shall bear a son immortal, + Who will rule among the mighty, + Rule the ancient Wainamoinen." + Thereupon the virgin-mother + Wandered hither, wandered thither, + Seeking for a place befitting, + Seeking for a worthy birth-place + For her unborn son and hero; + Finally these words she uttered + "Piltti, thou my youngest maiden, + Trustiest of all my servants, + Seek a place within the village, + Ask it of the brook of Sara, + For the troubled Mariatta, + Child of sorrow and misfortune." + Thereupon the little maiden, + Piltti, spake these words in answer: + "Whom shall I entreat for succor, + Who will lend me his assistance? + These the words of Mariatta: + "Go and ask it of Ruotus, + Where the reed-brook pours her waters." + Thereupon the servant, Piltti, + Ever hopeful, ever willing, + Hastened to obey her mistress, + Needing not her exhortation; + Hastened like the rapid river, + Like the flying smoke of battle + To the cabin of Ruotus. + When she walked the hill-tops tottered, + When she ran the mountains trembled; + Shore-reeds danced upon the pasture, + Sandstones skipped about the heather + As the maiden, Piltti, hastened + To the dwelling of Ruotus. + At his table in his cabin + Sat Ruotus, eating, drinking, + In his simple coat of linen. + With his elbows on the table + Spake the wizard in amazement: + "Why hast thou, a maid of evil, + Come to see me in my cavern, + What the message thou art bringing? + Thereupon the servant, Piltti, + Gave this answer to the wizard: + "Seek I for a spot befitting, + Seek I for a worthy birth-place, + For an unborn child and hero; + Seek it near the Sara-streamlet, + Where the reed-brook pours her waters. + Came the wife of old Ruotus, + Walking with her arms akimbo, + Thus addressed the maiden, Piltti: + "Who is she that asks assistance, + Who the maiden thus dishonored, + What her name, and who her kindred?" + "I have come for Mariatta, + For the worthy virgin-mother." + Spake the wife of old Ruotus, + Evil-minded, cruel-hearted: + "Occupied are all our chambers, + All our bath-rooms near the reed-brook; + in the mount of fire are couches, + is a stable in the forest, + For the flaming horse of Hisi; + In the stable is a manger + Fitting birth-place for the hero + From the wife of cold misfortune, + Worthy couch for Mariatta!" + Thereupon the servant, Piltti, + Hastened to her anxious mistress, + Spake these measures, much regretting. + "There is not a place befitting, + on the silver brook of Sara. + Spake the wife of old Ruotus: + 'Occupied are all the chambers, + All the bath-rooms near the reed-brook; + In the mount of fire are couches, + Is a stable, in the forest, + For the flaming horse of Hisi; + In the stable is a manger, + Fitting birth-place for the hero + From the wife of cold misfortune, + Worthy couch for Mariatta.'" + Thereupon the hapless maiden, + Mariatta, virgin-mother, + Fell to bitter tears and murmurs, + Spake these words in depths of sorrow: + "I, alas! must go an outcast, + Wander as a wretched hireling, + Like a servant in dishonor, + Hasten to the burning mountain, + To the stable in the forest, + Make my bed within a manger, + Near the flaming steed of Hisi!" + Quick the hapless virgin-mother, + Outcast from her father's dwelling, + Gathered up her flowing raiment, + Grasped a broom of birchen branches, + Hastened forth in pain and sorrow + To the stable in the woodlands, + On the heights of Tapio's mountains, + Spake these words in supplication: + "Come, I pray thee, my Creator, + Only friend in times of trouble, + Come to me and bring protection + To thy child, the virgin-mother, + To the maiden, Mariatta, + In this hour of sore affliction. + Come to me, benignant Ukko, + Come, thou only hope and refuge, + Lest thy guiltless child should perish, + Die the death of the unworthy!" + When the virgin, Mariatta, + Had arrived within the stable + Of the flaming horse of Hisi, + She addressed the steed as follows: + "Breathe, O sympathizing fire-horse, + Breathe on me, the virgin-mother, + Let thy heated breath give moisture, + Let thy pleasant warmth surround me, + Like the vapor of the morning; + Let this pure and helpless maiden + Find a refuge in thy manger!" + Thereupon the horse, in pity, + Breathed the moisture of his nostrils + On the body of the virgin, + Wrapped her in a cloud of vapor, + Gave her warmth and needed comforts, + Gave his aid to the afflicted, + To the virgin, Mariatta. + There the babe was born and cradled + Cradled in a woodland-manger, + Of the virgin, Mariatta, + Pure as pearly dews of morning, + Holy as the stars in heaven. + There the mother rocks her infant, + In his swaddling clothes she wraps him, + Lays him in her robes of linen; + Carefully the babe she nurtures, + Well she guards her much-beloved, + Guards her golden child of beauty, + Her beloved gem of silver. + But alas! the child has vanished, + Vanished while the mother slumbered. + Mariatta, lone and wretched, + Fell to weeping, broken-hearted, + Hastened off to seek her infant. + Everywhere the mother sought him, + Sought her golden child of beauty, + Her beloved gem of silver; + Sought him underneath the millstone, + In the sledge she sought him vainly, + Underneath the sieve she sought him, + Underneath the willow-basket, + Touched the trees, the grass she parted, + Long she sought her golden infant, + Sought him on the fir-tree-mountain, + In the vale, and hill, and heather; + Looks within the clumps of flowers, + Well examines every thicket, + Lifts the juniper and willow, + Lifts the branches of the alder. + Lo! a star has come to meet her, + And the star she thus beseeches-. + "O, thou guiding-star of Northland, + Star of hope, by God created, + Dost thou know and wilt thou tell me + Where my darling child has wandered, + Where my holy babe lies hidden?" + Thus the star of Northland answers: + "If I knew, I would not tell thee; + 'Tis thy child that me created, + Set me here to watch at evening, + In the cold to shine forever, + Here to twinkle in the darkness." + Comes the golden Moon to meet her, + And the Moon she thus beseeches: + "Golden Moon, by Ukko fashioned, + Hope and joy of Kalevala, + Dost thou know and wilt thou tell me + Where my darling child has wandered, + Where my holy babe lies hidden? + Speaks the golden Moon in answer: + "If I knew I would not tell thee; + 'Tis thy child that me created, + Here to wander in the darkness, + All alone at eve to wander + On my cold and cheerless journey, + Sleeping only in the daylight, + Shining for the good of others." + Thereupon the virgin-mother + Falls again to bitter weeping, + Hastens on through fen and forest, + Seeking for her babe departed. + Comes the silver Sun to meet her, + And the Sun she thus addresses: + "Silver Sun by Ukko fashioned, + Source of light and life to Northland, + Dost thou know and wilt thou tell me + Where my darling child has wandered, + Where my holy babe lies hidden?" + Wisely does the Sun make answer: + "Well I know thy babe's dominions, + Where thy holy child is sleeping, + Where Wainola's light lies hidden; + 'Tis thy child that me created, + Made me king of earth and ether, + Made the Moon and Stars attend me, + Set me here to shine at midday, + Makes me shine in silver raiment, + Lets me sleep and rest at evening; + Yonder is thy golden infant, + There thy holy babe lies sleeping, + Hidden to his belt in water, + Hidden in the reeds and rushes." + Mariatta, child of beauty, + Virgin-mother of the Northland, + Straightway seeks her babe in Swamp-land, + Finds him in the reeds and rushes; + Takes the young child on her bosom + To the dwelling of her father. + There the infant grew in beauty, + Gathered strength, and light, and wisdom, + All of Suomi saw and wondered. + No one knew what name to give him; + When the mother named him, Flower, + Others named him, Son-of-Sorrow. + When the virgin, Mariatta, + Sought the priesthood to baptize him, + Came an old man, Wirokannas, + With a cup of holy water, + Bringing to the babe his blessing; + And the gray-beard spake as follows: + "I shall not baptize a wizard, + Shall not bless a black-magician + With the drops of holy water; + Let the young child be examined, + Let us know that he is worthy, + Lest he prove the son of witchcraft." + Thereupon old Wirokannas + Called the ancient Wainamoinen, + The eternal wisdom-singer, + To inspect the infant-wonder, + To report him good or evil. + Wainamoinen, old and faithful, + Carefully the child examined, + Gave this answer to his people: + "Since the child is but an outcast, + Born and cradled in a manger, + Since the berry is his father; + Let him lie upon the heather, + Let him sleep among the rushes, + Let him live upon the mountains; + Take the young child to the marshes, + Dash his head against the birch-tree." + Then the child of Mariatta, + Only two weeks old, made answer: + "O, thou ancient Wainamoinen, + Son of Folly and Injustice, + Senseless hero of the Northland, + Falsely hast thou rendered judgment. + In thy years, for greater follies, + Greater sins and misdemeanors, + Thou wert not unjustly punished. + In thy former years of trouble, + When thou gavest thine own brother, + For thy selfish life a ransom, + Thus to save thee from destruction, + Then thou wert not sent to Swamp-land + To be murdered for thy follies. + In thy former years of sorrow, + When the beauteous Aino perished + In the deep and boundless blue-sea, + To escape thy persecutions, + Then thou wert not evil-treated, + Wert not banished by thy people." + Thereupon old Wirokannas, + Of the wilderness the ruler, + Touched the child with holy water, + Crave the wonder-babe his blessing, + Gave him rights of royal heirship, + Free to live and grow a hero, + To become a mighty ruler, + King and Master of Karyala. + As the years passed Wainamoinen + Recognized his waning powers, + Empty-handed, heavy-hearted, + Sang his farewell song to Northland, + To the people of Wainola; + Sang himself a boat of copper, + Beautiful his bark of magic; + At the helm sat the magician, + Sat the ancient wisdom-singer. + Westward, westward, sailed the hero + O'er the blue-back of the waters, + Singing as he left Wainola, + This his plaintive song and echo: + "Suns may rise and set in Suomi, + Rise and set for generations, + When the North will learn my teachings, + Will recall my wisdom-sayings, + Hungry for the true religion. + Then will Suomi need my coming, + Watch for me at dawn of morning, + That I may bring back the Sampo, + Bring anew the harp of joyance, + Bring again the golden moonlight, + Bring again the silver sunshine, + Peace and plenty to the Northland." + Thus the ancient Wainamoinen, + In his copper-banded vessel, + Left his tribe in Kalevala, + Sailing o'er the rolling billows, + Sailing through the azure vapors, + Sailing through the dusk of evening, + Sailing to the fiery sunset, + To the higher-landed regions, + To the lower verge of heaven; + Quickly gained the far horizon, + Gained the purple-colored harbor. + There his bark be firmly anchored, + Rested in his boat of copper; + But he left his harp of magic, + Left his songs and wisdom-sayings, + To the lasting joy of Suomi. + EPILOGUE. + Now I end my measured singing, + Bid my weary tongue keep silence, + Leave my songs to other singers. + Horses have their times of resting + After many hours of labor; + Even sickles will grow weary + When they have been long at reaping; + Waters seek a quiet haven + After running long in rivers; + Fire subsides and sinks in slumber + At the dawning of the morning + Therefore I should end my singing, + As my song is growing weary, + For the pleasure of the evening, + For the joy of morn arising. + Often I have heard it chanted, + Often heard the words repeated: + "Worthy cataracts and rivers + Never empty all their waters." + Thus the wise and worthy singer + Sings not all his garnered wisdom; + Better leave unsung some sayings + Than to sing them out of season. + Thus beginning, and thus ending, + Do I roll up all my legends, + Roll them in a ball for safety, + In my memory arrange them, + In their narrow place of resting, + Lest the songs escape unheeded, + While the lock is still unopened, + While the teeth remain unparted, + And the weary tongue is silent. + Why should I sing other legends, + Chant them in the glen and forest, + Sing them on the hill and heather? + Cold and still my golden mother + Lies beneath the meadow, sleeping, + Hears my ancient songs no longer, + Cannot listen to my singing; + Only will the forest listen, + Sacred birches, sighing pine-trees, + Junipers endowed with kindness, + Alder-trees that love to bear me, + With the aspens and the willows. + When my loving mother left me, + Young was I, and low of stature; + Like the cuckoo of the forest, + Like the thrush upon the heather, + Like the lark I learned to twitter, + Learned to sing my simple measures, + Guided by a second mother, + Stern and cold, without affection; + Drove me helpless from my chamber + To the wind-side of her dwelling, + To the north-side of her cottage, + Where the chilling winds in mercy + Carried off the unprotected. + As a lark I learned to wander, + Wander as a lonely song-bird, + Through the forests and the fenlands + Quietly o'er hill and heather; + Walked in pain about the marshes, + Learned the songs of winds and waters, + Learned the music of the ocean, + And the echoes of the woodlands. + Many men that live to murmur, + Many women live to censure, + Many speak with evil motives; + Many they with wretched voices + Curse me for my wretched singing, + Blame my tongue for speaking wisdom, + Call my ancient songs unworthy, + Blame the songs and curse the singer. + Be not thus, my worthy people, + Blame me not for singing badly, + Unpretending as a minstrel. + I have never had the teaching, + Never lived with ancient heroes, + Never learned the tongues of strangers, + Never claimed to know much wisdom. + Others have had language-masters, + Nature was my only teacher, + Woods and waters my instructors. + Homeless, friendless, lone, and needy, + Save in childhood with my mother, + When beneath her painted rafters, + Where she twirled the flying spindle, + By the work-bench of my brother, + By the window of my sister, + In. the cabin of my father, + In my early days of childhood. + Be this as it may, my people, + This may point the way to others, + To the singers better gifted, + For the good of future ages, + For the coming generations, + For the rising folk of Suomi. + + + +GLOSSARY. + + + Aar'ni (Ar'ni). The guardian of hidden treasures. + A-ha'va. The West-wind; the father of the swift dogs. + Ah'ti. The same as Lemminkainen. + Ah'to. The great god of the waters. + Ah'to-la. The water-castle of Ahto and his people. + Ah'to-lai'set. The inhabitants of Ahtola. + Ai-nik'ki. A sister of Ahti. + Ai'no (i'no). Youkahainen's sister. + An'te-ro. A goddess of the waves. + Ai'ue-lake. The lake into which the Fire-child falls. + An-nik'ki. Ilmarinen's sister. + An'te-ro. Another name for Wipanen, or Antero Wipunen. + Dus'ter-land. The Northland; Pimentola. + Et'e-le'tar. A daugter of the South-wind. + Fire-Child. A synonym of Panu. + Frost. The English for Pakkanen. + Hal'lap-yo'ra. A lake in Finland. + Hal'ti-a (plural Haltiat). The Genius of Finnish mythology. + Het'e-wa'ne. The Finnish name of the Pleiades. + Hi'si (original Hiisi). The Evil Principle; also called Jutas, Lempo, + and Piru. + Mon'ja-tar. The daughter of the Pine-tree. + Hor'na. A sacred rock in Finland. + I'ku-Tur'so. An evil giant of the sea. + Il'ma-ri'nem. The worker of the metals; a brother of Wainamoinen. + Il'ma-tar. Daughter of the Air, and mother of Wainamoinen. + Il'po-tar. Believed to be the daughter of the Snow flake; the same as + Louhi. + Im-a'tra. A celebrated waterfall near Wiborg. + In'ger-land. The present St. Petersburg. + Ja'men (Ya'men). A river of Finland. + Jor'dan. Curiously, the river of Palestine. + Jou'ka-hai'nen (You-ka-hai'nen). A celebrated minstrel of Pohyola. + Jou-ko'la (You-ko'la). The home or dwelling of Youkahainen. + Ju-ma'la (You-ma'la). Originally the heavens, then the god of the + heavens, and finally God. + Ju'tas (yu'tas). The Evil Principle; Hisi, Piru, and Lempo are + synonyms, + Kai'to-lai'nen. A son of the god of metals; from his spear came the + tongue of the serpent. + Ka-ler'vo. The father of Kullervo. + Ka-le'va (Kalewai'nen). The father of heroes; a hero in general. + Kal'e-va'la (kaleva, hero, and la, the place of). The land of heroes; + the name of the epic poem of Finland. + Kal'e-va'tar (Kalewa'tar). Daughter of Kaleva. + Kal-e'vo. The same as Kaleva. + Ka'lew. Often used for Kaleva. + Kal'ma. The god of death. + Kam'mo. The father of Kimmo. + Kan'ka-hat'ta-ret. The goddesses of weaving. + Ka'pe. A synonym of Ilmatar, the mother of Wainamoinen. + Ka'po. A synonym of Osmotar. + Ka-re'len. A province of Finland. + Kar-ja'la, (karya'la). The seat of the waterfall, Kaatrakoski. + Kat'e-ja'tar (kataya'tar). The daughter of the Pine-tree. + Kat'ra-kos'ki (Kaatrakos'ki). A waterfall in Karjala. + Kau'ko. The same as Kaukomieli. + Kau'ko-miel'li. The same as Lemminkainen. + Kaup'pi. The Snowshoe-builder; Lylikki. + Ke'mi. A river of Finland. + Kim'mo. A name for the cow; the daughter of Kammo, the patron of the + rocks. + Ki'pu-ki'vi. The name of the rock at Hell-river, beneath which the + spirits of all diseases are imprisoned. + Kir'kon-Woe'ki. Church dwarfs living under altars. + Knik'ka-no. Same as Knippana. + Knip'pa-no. Same as Tapio. + Koot'a-moi'nen. The Moon. + Kos'ken-nei'ti. The goddess of the cataract. + Kul-ler'vo. The vicious son of Kalervo. + Kul'ler-woi'nen. The same as Kullervo. + Kul'li. A beautiful daughter of Sahri. + Kun. The Moon, and the Moon-god. + Kun'tar. One of the daughters of the Moon. + Ku'ra (Kuura). The Hoar-frost; also called Tiera, a ball of ice. + Kul-lik'ki (also Kyl'li). The Sahri-maiden whom Lemminkainen + kidnapped. + Lak'ka. Mother of Ilmarinen. + Lak-ko. The hostess of Kalevala. + Lem'min-kai'nen. One of the brothers of Wainamoinen; a son of Lempi. + Lem'pi-bay. A bay of Finland. + Lem'po. The Evil Principle; same as Hisi, Piru, and Jutas. + Lin'nun-ra'ta (Bird-way). The Milky-way. + Lou'hi. The hostess of Pohyola. + Low-ya'tar. Tuoni's blind daughter, and the originator of the Plagues. + Lu'on-no'tar. One of the mystic maidens, and the nurse of Wainamoinen. + Lu'o-to'la. A bay of Finland, named with Joukola. + Ly-lik'ki (Lyylik'ki). Maker of the snow-shoe. + Maan-e'mo (man-e'mo). The mother of the Earth. + Ma'hi-set (Maa'hi-set). The invisibly small deities of Finnish + mythology. + Mam'me-lai'nen. The goddess of hidden treasures. + Ma'na. A synonym of Tuoni, the god of death. + Man'a-lai'nen. The same as Mana. + Masr'i-at'ta (marja, berry). The Virgin Mary of Finnish mythology. + Mat'ka-Tep'po. The road-god. + Meh'i-lai'nen. The honey-bee. + Mel'a-tar. The goddess of the helm. + Met'so-la. The same as Tapiola, the abode of the god of the forest, + Mie-lik'ki. The hostess of the forest. + Mi-merk'ki. A synonym of Mielikki. + Mosk'va. A province of Suomi. + Mu-rik'ki (Muurik'ki). The name of the cow. + Ne'wa. A river of Finland. + Ny-rik'ki. A son of Tapio. + Os'mo. The same as Osmoinen. + Os-noi'nen. A synonym of Wainola's hero. + Os'mo-tar. The daughter of Osmo; she directs the brewing of the beer + for Ilmarinen's wedding-feast. + O-ta'va. The Great Bear of the heavens. + Ot'so. The bear of Finland. + Poe'ivoe. The Sun, and the Sun god. + Pai'va-tar. The goddess of the summer. + Pak'ka-nen. A synonym of Kura. + Pal-woi'nen. A synonym of Turi, and also of Wirokannas. + Pa'nu. The Fire-Child, born from the sword of Ukko. + Pa'ra. A tripod-deity, presiding over milk and cheese. + Pel'ler-woi'nen. The sower of the forests. + Pen'i-tar. A blind witch of Pohyola; and the mother of the dog. + Pik'ku Mies. The water-pigmy that felled the over-spreading oak-tree + for Wainamoinen. + Pil'a-ya'tar (Pilaja'tar). The daughter of the Aspen; and the goddess + of the Mountain-ash. + Pilt'ti. The maid-servant of Mariatta. + Pi'men-to'la. A province of Finland; another name for Pohyola. + Pi'ru. The same as Lempo, Jutas, and Hisi. + Pi'sa. A mountain of Finland. + Poh'ya (Poh'ja). An abbreviated form for Pohyola. + Poh-yo'la (Poh-jo'la). The Northland; Lapland. + Pok-ka'nen. The Frost, the son of Puhuri; a synonym of Tiera. + Puh-hu'ri. The North-wind; the father of Pokkanen. + Rem'men. The father of the hop-vine. + Re'mu. The same as Remmen. + Ru-o'tus. A persecutor of the Virgin Mariatta. + Rut'ya (Rut'ja). A waterfall of Northland. + Sah'ri (Saari). The home of Kyllikki. + Sam'po. The jewel that Ilmarinen forges from the magic metals; a + talisman of success to the possessor; a continual source of strife + between the tribes of the North. + Samp'sa. A synonym of Pellerwoinen. + Sa'ra. The same as Sariola. + Sar'i-o'la. The same as Pohyola. + Sat'ka. A goddess of the sea. + Sa'wa (Sa'wo). The eastern part of Finland. + Sim'a Pil'li (Honey-flute). The flute of Sima-suu. + Sim'a-Suu. One of the maidens of Tapio. + Sin'e-tar. The goddess of the blue sky. + Si-net'ta-ret. The goddesses of dyeing. + Suk'ka-mie'li. The goddess of love. + Suo'mi (swo'mi). The ancient abode of the Finns. + Suo'ne-tar (swone-tar). The goddess of the veins. + Suo-wak'ko. An old wizard of Pohyola. + Suo'ya-tar (Syo'jatar). The mother of the serpent. + Su've-tar (Suve, summer). Goddess of the South-wind + Su-wan'to-lai'nen. Another name for Wainamoinen. + Taeh'ti. The Polar Star. + Ta-he'tar. The daughter of the Stars. + Tai'vas. The firmament in general. + Ta-ni'ka. A magic mansion of Pohja. + Ta'pi-o. The god of the forest. + Tel-le'rvo. A daughter of Tapio. + Ter'he-ne'tar. Daughter of the Fog. + Tie'ra. Same as Kura; the Hoar-frost. + Tont'tu. A little house-spirit. + Tu'a-me'tar. Daughter of the Alder-tree. + Tu-le'tar (Tuule'tar). A goddess of the winds. + Tu-lik'ki (Tuullk'ki). One of the daughters of Tapio. + Tu'o-ne'la. The abode of Tuoni. + Tuo'nen Poi'ka. The son of Tuoni. + Tu'o-ne'tar. The hostess of Death-land; a daughter of Tuoni. + Tu-o'ni. The god of death. + Tu'ri (Tuuri). The god of the Honey-land. + Turja (tur'ya). Another name for Pohya. + Tur'ya-lan'der. An epithet for one of the tribe of Louhi. + Tur'ya (Tyrja). A name for the waterfall of Rutya. + Uk'ko. The Great Spirit of Finnish mythology; his abode is in Jumala. + Uk'on-koi'va (Ukko's dog). The messenger of Ukko; the butterfly. + U'lap-pa'la. Another term for the abode of Tuoni. + Un'du-tar. Goddess of the fog. + U'ni. The god of sleep. + Un'ta-ma'la. A synonym for "the dismal Sariola." + Un-ta'mo. The god of dreams; the dreamer; a brother of Kalervo, and + his enemy. + Un'tar. The same as Undutar. + Un'to. The same as Untamo. + Utu-tyt'to. The same as Undutar. + Wai'nam-oi'nen (Vainamoinen). The chief hero of the Kalevala; the + hero of Wainola, whose mother, Ilmatar, fell from the air into the + ocean. + Wai'no (Vai'no). The same as Wainamoinen. + Wai-no'la. The home of Wainamoinen and his people; a synonym of + Kalevala. + Wel-la'mo. The hostess of the waters. + Wet'e-hi'nen. An evil god of the sea. + Wi-pu'nen (Vipu'nen). An old song-giant that swallowed Wainamoinen + searching for the "lost words." + Wi'ro-kan'nas (Virokan'nas). Ruler of the wilderness; the slayer of + the huge bull of Suomi; the priest that baptizes the son of Mariatta. + Wo'ya-lan'der (Vuojalan'der). An epithet for Laplander. + Wuok'sen (Vuo'ksen). A river in the east of Finland. + Wuok'si. The same as Wuoksen. + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Kalevala: the Epic Poem of Finland -- +Volume 02, by Elias Lönnrot + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KALEVALA: EPIC POEM OF FINLAND *** + +***** This file should be named 5185.txt or 5185.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/8/5185/ + +Produced by John B. Hare and Carrie R. 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