Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/44

24

What may be your greatest wisdom;

And the utmost of your knowledge?”

Said the youthful Joukahainen,

“Many things I know in fulness,

And I know with perfect clearness,

And my insight shows me plainly,

In the roof we find the smoke-hole,

And the fire is near the hearthstone.

“Joyful life the seal is leading,

In the waves there sports the sea-dog,

And he feeds upon the salmon,

And the powans round about him.

“Smooth the water loved by powans,

Smooth the surface, too, for salmon ;

And in frost the pike is spawning,

Slimy fish in wintry weather.

Sluggish is the perch, the humpback,

In the depths it swims in autumn,

But it spawns in drought of summer,

Swimming slowly to the margin.

“If this does not yet suffice you,

I am wise in other matters,

And of weighty things can tell you.

In the north they plough with reindeer,

In the south the mare is useful,

And the elk in furthest Lapland.

“Trees I know on Pisa mountain,

Firs upon the rocks of Horna,

Tall the trees on Pisa mountain,

And the firs on rocks of Horna.

“Three great waterfalls I know of,

And as many lakes extensive,

And as many lofty mountains,

Underneath the vault of heaven.

Hälläpyörä is in Häme,

Karjala has Kaatrakoski,

But they do not match the Vuoksi,

There where Imatra is rushing.”

Said the aged Väinämöinen,

“Childish tales, and woman’s wisdom,