Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/39

Runo II]

That the corn might sprout up stronger,

And the stalks might wave and rustle.

Thus the sprouting germ was nourished,

And the rustling stalks grew upward,

From the soft earth of the cornfield,

Through the toil of Väinämöinen.

After this, two days passed over,

After two nights, after three nights,

When the week was full completed,

Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,

Wandered forth to see the progress;

How his ploughing and his sowing

And his labours had resulted.

There he found the barley growing,

And the ears were all six-cornered,

And the stalks were all three-knotted.

Then the aged Väinämöinen

Wandered on and gazed around him,

And the cuckoo, bird of springtime,

Came and saw the birch-tree growing.

“Wherefore is the birch left standing,

And unfelled the slender birch-tree?”

Said the aged Väinämöinen,

“Therefore is the birch left standing,

And unfelled the slender birch-tree,

As a perch for thee, O Cuckoo;

Whence the cuckoo’s cry may echo.

From thy sand-hued throat cry sweetly,

With thy silver voice call loudly,

With thy tin-like voice cry clearly,

Call at morning, call at evening,

And at noontide call thou likewise,

To rejoice my plains surrounding,

That my woods may grow more cheerful,

That my coast may grow more wealthy,

And my region grow more fruitful.”