Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/55

Runo XXIX]

Where a little man may hide him,

And a weak man may take refuge

From the din of furious battle,

And the clash of steely sword-blades?”

Said the girls upon the island,

And the island-maidens answered:

“There is room upon this island,

On the surface of the island,

Where a little man may hide him,

And a weak man may conceal him.

Here are very many castles,

Stately castles to reside in,

Though there came a hundred heroes,

And a thousand men of valour.”

Said the lively Lemminkainen,

And he spoke the words which follow:

“Is there room upon this island,

On the surface of the island,

Where there stands a birch-tree forest,

And a stretch of other country,

Where I perhaps may make a clearing,

Work upon my goodly clearing?”

Said the girls upon the island,

And the island-maidens answered:

“There is not upon this island,

On the surface of the island,

Not the space your back could rest on,

Land not of a bushel’s measure,

Where you perhaps might make a clearing,

Work upon your goodly clearing.

All the land is now divided,

And the fields in plots are measured,

And allotted are the fallows,

Grassland managed by the commune.”

Said the lively Lemminkainen,

Asked the handsome Kaukomieli,

“Is there room upon this island,

On the surface of the island,

Space where I my songs may carol,

Space where I may sing my ballads?