Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/185

Runo XV]

Then spoke Lemminkainen’s mother,

And she answered him in thiswise:

“Leave the poor swans unmolested,

Leave the ducks a peaceful dwelling,

Here on Tuoni’s murky river,

Here amid the raging whirlpool!

Best it is to journey homeward

With your most unhappy mother.

Praise thou now thy happy future,

And to Jumala be praises,

That he granted his assistance,

And has thus to life awaked thee,

And from Tuoni’s paths hath led thee,

And from Mana’s realms hath brought thee!

I myself had never conquered,

And alone had nought accomplished,

But for Jumala’s compassion,

And the help of the Creator.”

Then the lively Lemminkainen,

Went at once his journey homeward,

With his mother, she who loved him,

Homeward with the aged woman.

Here I part awhile with Kauko,

Leave the lively Lemminkainen,

Long from out my song I leave him,

While I quickly change my subject,

Turn my song in new directions,

And in other furrows labour.