Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/314

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“Soon must now depart the others,

And the time is fast approaching,

But my own departure’s nearer,

Swiftly comes my time for parting.

Mournful is indeed my going,

Sad the hour of my departure,

From this far-renowned village,

And this ever-charming homestead,

Where my face was ever joyful,

And I grew to perfect stature,

All the days that I was growing,

While my childhood’s years were passing.

“Until now I never pondered,

Nor believed in all my lifetime,

Never thought on my departure,

Realized my separation,

From the precincts of this castle,

From the hill where it is builded.

Now I feel I am departing,

And I know that I am going.

Empty are the parting goblets,

And the ale of parting finished,

And the sledges all are waiting,

Front to fields, and back to homestead,

With one side towards the stables,

And the other to the cowhouse.

“Whence comes now my separation,

Whence my sadness at departure,

How my mother’s milk repay her.

Or the goodness of my father,

Or my brother’s love repay him,

Or my sister’s fond affection?

“Thanks to thee, my dearest father,

For my former life so joyful,

For the food of days passed over,

For the best of all the dainties

Thanks to thee, my dearest mother,

For my childhood’s cradle-rocking,

For thy tending of the infant,

Whom thou at thy breast hast nurtured.