Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/32

20

From the beard of Tuoni’s barley.

Whence its filthy gums created?

From the gums of Kalma’s maiden.

Whence was then its back constructed?

Of the coals of fire of Hiisi.

Whence its wriggling tail constructed?

From the plaits of Pahalainen.

Whence its entrails were constructed?

These were drawn from Death’s own girdle.

“This thy origin, O serpent,

This thy honour, as reported;

Black snake from the world infernal,

Serpent of the hue of Tuoni,

Hue of earth, and hue of heather,

All the colours of the rainbow.

Go from out the wanderer’s pathway,

From before the travelling hero,

Yield the pathway to the traveller,

Make a way for Lemminkainen

To the feast at Pohja holden,

Where they hold the great carousal.”

Then the snake obeyed his orders,

And the hundred-eyed drew backward,

And the great snake twisted sideways,

Turning in a new direction,

Giving thus the traveller pathway,

Making way for Lemminkainen

To the feast at Pohja holden,

And the secret-held carousal.