Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/225

Runo XVIII]

Let the maiden now be given

To the husband whom she chooses,

That we nurse not long vexation,

Nor a lasting feud be fostered.”

Further on their way they travelled,

On the path that each had chosen;

Sped the boat, the shore re-echoed,

Ran the horse, the earth resounded.

But a short time passed thereafter,

Very short the time elapsing,

Ere the grey-brown dog was barking,

And the house-dog loudly baying,

In the gloomy land of Pohja,

Sariola, for ever cloudy,

Sooner still the dog was growling,

But with less-continued growling,

By the borders of the cornfield,

’Gainst the ground his tail was wagging.

Then exclaimed the Lord of Pohja,

“Go, my daughter, to discover

Why the grey-brown dog is barking,

And the long-eared dog is baying.”

But the daughter made him answer:

“I have not the time, my father,

I must clean the largest cowshed,

Tend our herd of many cattle,

Grind the corn between the millstones,

Through the sieve must sift the flour,

Grind the corn to finest flour,

And the grinder is but feeble.”

Gently barked the castle’s Hiisi,

And again the dog was growling,

And again said Pohja’s Master:

“Go, old dame, and look about you,

See why barks the grey-brown house-dog,

Why the castle-dog is growling.”

But the old dame made him answer:

“This is not a time for talking,

For my household cares are heavy,

And I must prepare the dinner,