Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/269

Runo XXI]

Like a sledge in sand embedded,

Or a boat on rocks when stranded.”

Then the aged Väinämöinen

In such words as these expressed him:

“If no other bard comes forward

To accompany my singing,

Then alone my songs I’ll carol,

And will now commence my singing,

For to sing was I created,

As an orator was fashioned;

How, I ask not in the village,

Nor I learn my songs from strangers.”

Then the aged Väinämöinen

Of the song the lifelong pillar,

Set him to the pleasant labour,

Girt him for the toil of singing,

Loud he sang his songs so pleasing,

Loud he spoke his words of wisdom.

Sang the aged Väinämöinen,

Sang by turns, and spoke his wisdom,

Nor did words that suited fail him,

Neither were his songs exhausted,

Sooner stones in rocks were missing,

Or a pond lacked water-lilies.

Therefore thus sang Väinämöinen

Through the evening for their pleasure,

And the women all were laughing,

And the men in high good-humour,

While they listened and they wondered

At the chants of Väinämöinen,

For amazement filled the hearers,

Wonder those who heard him singing.

Said the aged Väinämöinen,

When at length his song he ended,

“This is what I have accomplished

As a singer and magician,

Little can I thus accomplish,

And my efforts lead me nowhere:

But, if sang the great Creator,

Speaking with his mouth of sweetness,