Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/129

Runo XXXVI]

“If against a goat thou fightest,

And wouldst meet in fight a he-goat,

Then the goat will overcome thee,

In the mud the he-goat cast thee,

That like dog thou home returnest,

Like a frog returnest homeward.”

Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,

Answered in the words which follow:

“In the swamps I shall not sink me,

Nor upon the heath will stumble,

In the dwelling-place of ravens,

In the fields where crows are croaking.

If I perish in the battle,

Sinking on the field of battle,

Noble ’tis to fall in battle,

Fine ’mid clash of swords to perish,

Exquisite the battle-fever,

Quickly hence a youth it hurries,

Takes him quickly forth from evil,

There he falls no more to hunger.”

Then his mother spoke and answered,

“If you perish in the battle,

Who shall cater for your father,

And shall tend the old man daily?”

Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,

Answered in the words that follow:

“Let him perish on the dust-heap,

Leave him in the yard to perish.”

“Who shall cater for your mother,

And shall tend the old dame daily?”

“Let her die upon a haycock,

In the cowshed let her stifle.”

“Who shall cater for thy brother,

Tend him day by day in future?”

“Let him perish in the forest,

Let him faint upon the meadow.”

“Who shall cater for thy sister,

Tend her day by day in future?”

“Let her fall in well, and perish,

Let her fall into the wash-tub.”