Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/187

Runo XLII]

“’Tis too early yet for singing,

’Tis too early for rejoicing.

Soon a time will come for singing,

Fitting time for our rejoicing,

When we see our doors before us,

And we hear our own doors creaking.”

Said the lively Lemminkainen,

“In the stern I’ll take position,

And with all my might will sing there,

And with all my force will bellow.

Perhaps indeed I cannot do so,

Loud enough I cannot bellow:

If you will not sing unto us,

Then will I commence the singing.”

Then the lively Lemminkainen,

He the handsome Kaukomieli,

Quickly pursed his mouth for singing,

And prepared himself to carol,

And began to sing his carols,

But his songs were most discordant,

And his voice it sounded hoarsely,

And his tones were most discordant.

Sang the lively Lemminkainen,

Shouted loudly Kaukomieli,

Moved his mouth, his beard was wagging,

And his chin was likewise shaking.

Far away was heard his singing,

Far away across the water,

In six villages they heard it,

Over seven the song resounded.

On a stump a crane was sitting,

On a mound from swamp arising,

And his toe-bones he was counting,

And his feet he was uplifting,

And was terrified extremely

At the song of Lemminkainen.

Left the crane his strange employment,

With his harsh voice screamed in terror,

From his perch he flew in terror,

Over Pohjola in terror,