Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/231

Runo XIX]

the smith, e’en Ilmarinen,

He the great primeval craftsman,

Came himself into the chamber,

And beneath the roof he hastened.

Brought the maid of mead a beaker,

Placed a can of drink of honey

In the hands of Ilmarinen,

And the smith spoke out as follows:

“Never while my life is left me,

Long as shines the golden moonlight,

Will I taste the drink before me,

Till my own is granted to me,

She for whom so long I waited,

She for whom so long I pined for.”

Then said Pohjola’s old Mistress,

In the very words which follow:

“Trouble great befalls the suitor,

Comes to her for whom he waiteth;

One shoe still remains unfitted,

And unfitted is the other;

But the bride is waiting for you,

And you may indeed receive her,

If you plough the field of vipers,

Where the writhing snakes are swarming,