Rune XIVa

OF LEMMINKAINEN. Lemminkainen, much disheartened, Deeply thought and long considered, What to do, what course to follow, Whether best to leave the wild-moose In the fastnesses of Hisi, And return to Kalevala, Or a third time hunt the ranger, Hoping thus to bring him captive, Thus return at last a victor To the forest home of Louhi, To the joy of all her daughters, To the wood-nymph's happy fireside. Taking courage Lemminkainen Spake these words in supplication: "Ukko, thou O God above me, Thou Creator of the heavens, Put my snow-shoes well in order, And endow them both with swiftness, That I rapidly may journey Over marshes, over snow-fields, Over lowlands, over highlands, Through the realms of wicked Hisi, Through the distant plains of Lapland, Through the paths of Lempo's wild-moose, To the forest hills of Juutas. To the snow-fields shall I journey, Leave the heroes to the woodlands, On the way to Tapiola, Into Tapio's wild dwellings. "Greeting bring I to the mountains, Greeting to the vales and uplands, Greet ye, heights with forests covered, Greet ye, ever-verdant fir-trees, Greet ye, groves of whitened aspen, Greetings bring to those that greet you, Fields, and streams, and woods of Lapland. Bring me favor, mountain-woodlands, Lapland-deserts, show me kindness, Mighty Tapio, be gracious, Let me wander through thy forests, Let me glide along thy rivers, Let this hunter search thy snow-fields, Where the wild-moose herds in numbers Where the bounding reindeer lingers. "O Nyrikki, mountain hero, Son of Tapio of forests, Hero with the scarlet head-gear, Notches make along the pathway, Landmarks upward to the mountains, That this hunter may not wander, May not fall, and falling perish In the snow-fields of thy kingdom, Hunting for the moose of Hisi, Dowry for the pride of Northland. "Mistress of the woods, Mielikki, Forest-mother, formed in beauty, Let thy gold flow out abundant, Let thy silver onward wander, For the hero that is seeking For the wild-moose of thy kingdom; Bring me here thy keys of silver, From the golden girdle round thee; Open Tapio's rich chambers, And unlock the forest fortress, While I here await the booty, While I hunt the moose of Lempo. "Should this service be too menial Give the order to thy servants, Send at once thy servant-maidens, And command it to thy people. Thou wilt never seem a hostess, If thou hast not in thy service, Maidens ready by the hundreds, Thousands that await thy bidding, Who thy herds may watch and nurture, Tend the game of thy dominions. "Tall and slender forest-virgin, Tapio's beloved daughter, Blow thou now thy honey flute-notes, Play upon thy forest-whistle, For the hearing of thy mistress, For thy charming woodland-mistress, Make her hear thy sweet-toned playing, That she may arise from slumber.