Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/184

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Knowing nought of water-evil,

Nor the evils of the reed-beds.”

Then said Lemminkainen’s mother,

“Mighty man of little foresight,

Boasting to enchant the sorcerers,

And to ban the sons of Lapland,

Knowing nought of water-evil,

Nor the evils of the reed-beds!

“Water-snakes are born in water,

On the waves among the reed-beds,

From the duck’s brain springs the serpent,

In the head of the sea-swallow.

Syöjätär spat in the water,

Cast upon the waves the spittle,

And the water stretched it lengthwise,

And the sunlight warmed and softened,

And the wind arose and tossed it,

And the water-breezes rocked it,

On the shore the waves they drove it,

And amid the breakers urged it.”

Thus did Lemminkainen’s mother

Cause her son with all her efforts,

To resume his old appearance,

And ensured that in the future

He should even be superior,

Yet more handsome than aforetime,

And she asked her son thereafter

Was there anything he needed?

Said the lively Lemminkainen,

“There is something greatly needed,

For my heart is fixed for ever,

And my inclination leads me

To the charming maids of Pohja,

With their lovely locks unbraided,

But the dirty-eared old woman

Has refused to give her daughter,

Till I shoot the duck she asks for,

And the swan shall capture for her,

Here in Tuonela’s dark river,

In the holy river’s whirlpool.”