Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/56

48 They sought for one to christen him — one to baptise the gnawing boy At the well of Kaleva's son, upon the props of a little hand-sleigh. But no place was found there, Not in ten villages, not at seven door-hinges. However, Rickets was baptised, the ill-omened boy was christened 31{{dropinitial|{|2em}}On a beach, on a water-girt stone, v. On a stone upon the open sea, 32 Passed over by a wave, lightly touched by a wave. Was the water clean with which Rickets was baptised ? The water was not clean, that water was commixed with blood. Harlots had washed (in it) their linen caps — bad women their shirts. Their jackets ragged at the edge, their smelling petticoats. Therein Rickets was baptised — the ill-omened boy was christened, A name was given to the evil boy — the name of Rickets to the wretch.

Variants. 31, 32 In the bloody house of Hiitola, while swine were being slaughtered. 32 On the water-lily leaf of a pond. In a doorless room, entirely windowless.

(b.)

How was Rickets possessed — the "evil snail" sent. The "bloody dog" (sent) to eat — "Hiisi's cur" to lacerate? Thus was Rickets possessed — the "evil snail" sent To devour, to gnaw, to bite, to irritate. A raven fluttered in the sky, blood spirted from its beak Down on the end of a small pine (bench), down on the end of an iron bench. From that filthy Rickets originated — the evil offspring set itself