Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/92

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Make the willow then a herdsman,

Let the alder watch the cattle,

Let the mountain-ash protect them,

And the cherry lead them homeward,

That the mistress need not seek them,

Nor need other folks be anxious.

“If the willow will not herd them,

Nor the mountain-ash protect them,

Nor the alder watch the cattle,

Nor the cherry lead them homeward,

Send thou then thy better servants,

Send the Daughters of Creation,

That they may protect my cattle,

And the whole herd may look after.

Very many are thy maidens,

Hundreds are beneath thy orders,

Dwelling underneath the heavens,

Noble Daughters of Creation.

“Suvetar, the best of women,

Etelätär, Nature’s old one,

Hongatar, the noble mistress,

Katajatar, maiden fairest,

Pihlajatar, little damsel,

Tuometar, of Tapio daughter,

Mielikki, the wood’s step-daughter,

Tellervo, the maid of Tapio,

May ye all protect my cattle,

And protect the best among them,

Through the beauty of the summer,

In the pleasant time of leafage,

While the leaves on trees are moving,

Grass upon the ground is waving.

“Suvetar, the best of women,

Etelätär, Nature’s old one,

Spread thou out thy robe of softness,

And do thou spread out thy apron,

As a covering for my cattle,

For the hiding of the small ones,

That no ill winds blow upon them,

Nor an evil rain fall on them.