Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/15

Runo XXVI]

Neither go I squirrel shooting,

But I seek the feast at Pohja,

And the secret drinking-party,

Therefore fetch my shirt, the fine one,

Bring me, too, the finest clothing,

That I hasten to the wedding,

And may wander to the banquet.

But his mother would forbid him,

Vainly would his wife dissuade him,

Two, whose like were not created,

And three daughters of Creation,

Sought to hold back Lemminkainen

Back from Pohjola’s great banquet.

To her son then said the mother,

And her child advised the old one,

“Do not go, my son my dearest,

O my dearest son, my Kauko,

Go not to the feast at Pohja,

To that mansion’s drinking-party,

For indeed they did not ask you,

And ’tis plain they do not want you.”

Then the lively Lemminkainen

Answered in the words which follow:

“Only bad men go for asking;

Uninvited good men dance there.

There are always invitations,

Always a sufficient summons,

In the sword with blade of sharpness,

And the edge so brightly flashing.”

Still did Lemminkainen’s mother

Do her utmost to restrain him.

“Go not, son, to sure destruction,

Unto Pohjola’s great banquet.

Full of terrors is thy journey,

On thy way are mighty wonders,

Thrice indeed doth death await thee;

Thrice the man with death is threatened.”

Answered lively Lemminkainen,

Said the handsome Kaukomieli,

“Death is only for the women,