Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/113

Runo IX]

That thy aid them hast vouchsafed me,

Granted me thy strong protection,

When my suffering was the greatest,

From the edge of sharpest Iron."

Then the aged Väinämöinen

Further spoke these words of warning:

“People, henceforth in the future

On your present welfare build not,

Make no boat in mood of boasting,

Nor confide too much in boat-ribs.

God foresees the course of by-ways,

The Creator orders all things;

Not the foresight of the heroes,

Nor the might of all the great ones.”

, old and steadfast,

Took his horse of chestnut colour,

And between the shafts he yoked him,

Yoked before the sledge the chestnut,

On the sledge himself he mounted,

And upon the seat he sat him.

Quickly then his whip he flourished,

Cracked his whip, all bead-embroidered,

Quick he sped upon his journey,

Lurched the sledge, the way was shortened,