Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 494 pages of information about Kalevala .

Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 494 pages of information about Kalevala .
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
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.