Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/65

Runo IV]

Then the wolf would take the message,

And repeat the mournful story;

But the wolf conveyed no tidings,

For among the sheep he wandered.

Who shall now the tidings carry,

And repeat the mournful story,

At the dwelling of the maiden,

At the homestead of the fair one?

Then the fox would take the message,

And repeat the mournful story;

But the fox conveyed no tidings,

For among the geese he wandered.

Who shall now the tidings carry,

And repeat the mournful story,

At the dwelling of the maiden,

At the homestead of the fair one?

’Twas the hare who took the tidings,

And conveyed the mournful story;

For the hare replied discreetly,

“I will not forget the message.”

Then the hare sprang quickly onward,

Sped the Long-ear with his story,

On his crooked legs he hastened,

With his cross-like mouth he hurried,

To the dwelling of the maiden,

To the homestead of the fair one.

Thus he hastened to the bath-house

And he crouched upon the threshold.

Full of maidens is the bath-house,

In their hands the bath-whisks holding.

“Scamp, come here; and shall we boil you,

Or, O Broad-eye, shall we roast you,

Either for the master’s supper,

Or perchance the mistress’ breakfast,

For the luncheon of the daughter,

Or perchance the son to dine on?”

Thereupon the hare responded,

And the Round-eye answered boldly,

“Would that Lempo might come hither

For the cooking in the kettle!