Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/20

8

And by no means will I journey

As a mouthful for the serpents,

To the sharp fangs of the adders.

I myself will crush the monsters,

Crush the nasty things to pieces,

And will sing away the vipers,

Drive the serpents from my pathway,

Enter then the yard of Pohja,

And into the house will force me.”

Then said Lemminkainen’s mother,

“O my son, forbear to venture,

Into Pohjola’s dread castle,

House of Sariola all timbered;

For the men with swords are girded,

Heroes all equipped for battle,

Men with drink of hops excited,

Very furious from their drinking.

They will sing thee, most unhappy,

To the swords of all the keenest;

Better men their songs have vanquished,

Mighty ones been overpowered.”

Answered lively Lemminkainen,

Said the handsome Kaukomieli:

“Well, but I have dwelt already

There in Pohjola’s dread fortress.

Not a Lapp with spells shall chain me,

Forth no son of Turja drive me.

I’ll enchant the Lapp by singing,

Drive away the son of Turja,

And in twain will sing his shoulders,

From his chin his speech I’ll sever,

Tear his shirt apart by singing,

And I’ll break in two his breastbone.”

Then said Lemminkainen’s mother,

“O alas, my son unhappy,

Dost thou think of former exploits,

Brag’st thou of thy former journey?

True it is thou hast resided

There in Pohjola’s dread fortress,

But they sent thee all a-swimming,