Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/142

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Smoothed for her the softest pillows,

On the silken bed he laid her.

After this smith Ilmarinen,

Quickly warmed the steaming bath-room,

Took the soap into the bath-room,

And provided twigs for bath-whisks,

And of water took three tubs full,

That the little finch should wash her,

And the little goldfinch cleanse her,

Cleanse her beauty from the ashes.

When the smith had also bathed him,

Washed him to his satisfaction,

At the maiden’s side he stretched him,

On the softest of the blankets,

’Neath the steel-supported hangings,

’Neath the over-arching iron.

After this smith Ilmarinen,

Even on the very first night,

Asked for coverlets in plenty,

And for blankets to protect him,

Also two and three of bearskins,

Five or six of woollen mantles,

All upon one side to lay him,

That towards the golden image.

And one side had warmth sufficient

Which was covered by the bedclothes;

That beside the youthful damsel,

Turned towards the golden image,

All that side was fully frozen,

And with frost was quite contracted,

Like the ice on lake when frozen,

Frozen into stony hardness.

Said the smith, said Ilmarinen,

“This is not so pleasant for me.

I will take the maid to Väinö,

Pass her on to Väinämöinen,

On his knee as wife to seat her,

Dovelike in his arms to nestle.”

So to Väinölä he took her,

And he said upon his coming,