Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/158

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Welcome, wooded slopes and mountains,

Welcome to the rustling pinewoods,

Welcome to the grey head aspens,

And to all who greet me, welcome!

“Be propitious wood and thicket,

Gracious Tapio, do thou aid me,

Bring the hero to the islands,

To the hills in safety lead him,

Where he can attain the quarry,

Whence he may bring back the booty.

“Nyyrikki, O son of Tapio,

Thou the mighty red-capped hero,

Blaze the path across the country,

And erect me wooden guide-posts,

That I trace this evil pathway,

And pursue the rightful roadway,

While I seek my destined quarry,

And the booty I am seeking.

“Mielikki, the forest’s mistress,

Thou the mighty, fair-faced mother!

Let thy gold now wander onward,

And thy silver set in motion,

Right before the man who seeks it,

On the pathway of the seeker.

“Take the keys of gold, suspended

By the ring that hangs beside thee,

Open thou the stores of Tapio,

And his castle in the forest,

During this my hunting-season,

While I hunt in distant regions.

“If thyself thou wilt not trouble,

Strictly charge thy little maidens,

Send thy serving maidens to me,

Give thy orders to thy servants!

If thou canst not be my hostess,

Do thou not forbid thy maidens,

For thou hast a hundred maidens,

And a thousand at thy orders,

Those on all thy herds attending,

Likewise all thy game protecting.