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Thence has come to us the bridesmaid,

Thence was she, the happiest, chosen.

“And the bridesmaid’s mouth is pretty,

As the spindle used in Suomi,

And the bridesmaid’s eyes are sparkling,

As the stars that shine in heaven,

Gleaming are the damsel’s temples,

As upon the lake the moonlight.

“Here we look upon our bridesmaid;

Round her neck a chain all golden,

On her head a golden head-dress,

On her hands are golden bracelets,

Golden rings upon her fingers,

In her ears are golden earrings,

Loops of gold upon her temples,

And her brows are bead-adorned.

“And I thought the moon was shining,

When her golden clasp was gleaming,

And I thought the sun was shining,

When I saw her collar gleaming,

And I thought a ship was sailing,

When I saw her head-dress moving.

“Now that I have praised the bridesmaid,

I will glance at all the people;

Very handsome are the people,

Stately are the aged people,

And the younger people pretty,

And the householders are handsome.

“I have gazed at all the people,

And I knew them all already;

But before it never happened,

Nor in future times will happen,

That we meet so fine a household,

Or we meet such handsome people.

Where the old folks are so stately,

And the younger people pretty.

Clothed in white are all the people,

Like the forest in the hoarfrost,

Under like the golden dawning:

Over like the morning twilight.