Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/265

Runo XXI]

That I may behold the bridegroom,

And the bridegroom’s eyes examine,

Whether they are blue or reddish;

Whether they are white as linen.”

Then the little waiting-maiden,

She, the little village maiden,

Brought a piece of lighted birchbark,

To a tarry torch applied it.

“From the bark the flame springs spluttering,

From the tar black smoke’s ascending,

So his eyes might perhaps be sooted,

And his handsome face be blackened,

Therefore bring a torch all flaming,

Of the whitest wax constructed.”

Then the little waiting-maiden,

She the little village maiden,

Lit a torch, and brought it flaming,

Of the whitest wax constructed.

White like wax the smoke was rising,

And the flame ascended brightly,

And the bridegroom’s eyes were shining,

And his face was all illumined.

“Now the bridegroom’s eyes I gaze on!

They are neither blue nor reddish,

Neither are they white like linen,

But his eyes they shine like lake-foam,

Like the lake-reed are they brownish,

And as lovely as the bulrush.

“Now my little village laddies,

Hasten to conduct the bridegroom

To a seat among the highest,

To a place the most distinguished,

With his back towards the blue wall,

With his face towards the red board,

There among the guests invited,

Facing all the shouting people.”

Then did Pohjola’s old Mistress,

Feast her guests in noble fashion,

Feast them on the best of butter,

And with cream-cakes in abundance;