Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/87

Runo VII]

But my grief is now so heavy

That I know myself no longer.”

Louhi, Pohjola’s old Mistress,

Answered in the words which follow:

“Rise, O man, from out the marshes,

Hero, seek another pathway.

Tell me now of thy misfortunes,

And relate me thy adventure.”

Thus she made him cease his weeping,

Made the hero cease lamenting,

And into her boat she took him,

Bade him at the stern be seated,

And herself resumed the oars,

And she then began to row him

Unto Pohjola, o’er water,

And she brought him to her dwelling.

Then she fed the famished stranger,

And she dried his dripping garments,

Then she rubbed his limbs all stiffened,

And she warmed him and shampooed him,

Till she had restored his vigour,

And the hero had recovered.

After this, she spoke and asked him,

In the very words which follow:

“Why did’st weep, O Väinämöinen,

Why lament, Uvantolainen,

In that miserable region,

On the borders of the lakelet?”

Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,

Answered in the words which follow:

“Cause enough have I for weeping,

Reason, too, for lamentation,

In the sea I long was swimming,

Tossed about upon the billows,

On the wide expanse of water,

Out upon the open ocean.

“I must weep throughout my lifespan,

And lament throughout my lifetime,

That I swam beyond my country,

Left the country so familiar,