Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/112

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Then he took the silken bandage,

And with utmost care he wound it,

Round the knees he wound it deftly,

Round the toes of Väinämöinen.

Then he spoke the words which follow,

And expressed himself in this wise:

“Thus I use God’s silken bandage,

The Creator’s mantle wind I

Round the great knees of the patient,

Round the toes of one most noble.

Watch thou, Jumala most gracious,

Give thy aid, O great Creator,

That we fall not in misfortune,

That no evil may o’ertake us.”

Then the aged Väinämöinen

Felt he had regained his vigour,

And that he was healed completely,

And his flesh again was solid,

And beneath it all was healthy.

In his body he was painless,

And his sides were quite uninjured,

From above the wounds had vanished,

Stronger felt he than aforetime,

Better than in former seasons.

On his feet he now was walking

And could bend his knees in stamping;

Not the least of pain he suffered,

Not a trace remained of aching.

Then the aged Väinämöinen,

Lifted up his eyes to heaven,

Gazing up to God most gracious,

Lifting up his head to heaven,

And he spoke the words which follow,

And expressed himself in this wise:

“Thence all mercy flows for ever,

Thence comes aid the most effective,

From the heaven that arches o’er us,

From the omnipotent Creator.

“Praise to Jumala most gracious,

Praise to thee, O great Creator,