Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/266

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Thus she served the guests invited,

And among them first the bridegroom.

On the plates was placed the salmon,

At the sides the pork was stationed,

Dishes filled to overflowing,

Laden to the very utmost,

Thus to feast the guests invited;

And among them first the bridegroom.

Then said Pohjola’s old Mistress,

“O my little waiting-maiden,

Bring me now the ale in measures,

Bring it in the jugs two-handled,

For the guests we have invited,

And the bridegroom chief among them.”

Then the little waiting-maiden,

She, the servant hired for money,

Brought the measures as directed,

Handed round the five-hooped tankards,

Till, with ale from hops concocted,

All the beards with foam were whitened;

All the beards of guests invited;

And among them most the bridegroom’s.

What about the ale was spoken,

Of the ale in five-hooped tankards,

When at length it reached the minstrel,

Reached the greatest of the singers,

He the aged Väinämöinen,

First and oldest of the singers,

He the minstrel most illustrious,

He the greatest of the Sages?

First of all the ale he lifted,

Then he spoke the words which follow:

“O thou ale, thou drink delicious,

Let the drinkers not be moody!

Urge the people on to singing,

Let them shout, with mouth all golden,

Till our lords shall wonder at it,

And our ladies ponder o’er it,

For the songs already falter,

And the joyous tongues are silenced.