Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 1, 1890.djvu/48

42 Of course I know thy stock, I know all thy bringing up, Of what thou wast formed, "useless wretch", from what thou hast originated, O "cunning one". Tuoni's iron-toothed crone, crooked fingered, crumple jawed, Was spinning on a summer's day—at midnight of an autumn night. Blood spashedsplashed [sic] from the distaff—from the copper spinning- staff. From that wast thou formed, O "useless wretch", from that didst originate, O "cunning one".

Evil Beings (kehnot) formed a snake, wretches span a viper, A snake was formed, a malignant viper was fashioned In a single summer night—an evening hour in autumn. Of what was the head placed on the evil one? The head was made of an evil bean. Of what were the malignant creature's brains? Of the foam of a mighty torrent [v. of 'fiery' rapids]. Whence has the fiend its eyes? From the seeds of Lempo's flax. Whence the ears on the 'toad's' head? From leaves of Lempo's birch. Of what was the snout formed? Of a scrap of Tuoni's pick. v.Of the evil one's thong. Of what was the mouth prepared? Of Syöjätär's clasp. v.Of a stump of Lempo's feather. Whence was the tongue obtained? From the tip of Keito's spear. Whence were the teeth procured? From needles of Manala's [v. Hiisi's] girl. Whence [came] the wretch's gums? From the gums of Kalma's girl. Of what was the body made? Of an evil maiden's hair-plait.