Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/47

Runo III]

Either for your sword or wisdom,

For your sword-point or your judgment.

But, apart from this at present,

I will draw no sword upon you,

So contemptible a fellow,

And so pitiful a weakling.”

Then the youthful Joukahainen

Shook his head, his mouth drawn crooked,

And he tossed his locks of blackness,

And he spake the words which follow:

“He who shuns the sword’s decision,

Nor betakes him to his sword-blade,

To a swine I soon will sing him,

To a snouted swine transform him.

Heroes I have thus o’erpowered,

Hither will I drive and thither.

And will pitch them on the dunghill,

Grunting in the cowshed corner.”

Angry then was Väinämöinen,

Filled with wrath and indignation,

And himself commenced his singing,

And to speak his words of wisdom.

But he sang no childish ditties,

Children’s songs and women’s jesting,

But a song for bearded heroes,

Such as all the children sing not,

Nor a half the boys can master,

Nor a third can lovers compass,

In the days of dark misfortune,

When our life is near its ending.

Sang the aged Väinämöinen;

Lakes swelled up, and earth was shaken,

And the coppery mountains trembled,

And the mighty rocks resounded.

And the mountains clove asunder;

On the shore the stones were shivered.

Then he sang of Joukahainen,

Changed his runners into saplings,

And to willows changed the collar,

And the reins he turned to alder,