Bearslayer

The springtime came and, once again, Clothed hills and valleys all in green; And wakened nature's creatures then, That frisky gambolling could be seen. Within our Fatherland it...

Most societies seem to have epic heroes and events that define them as they like to see themselves: Even a young society such as Australia has Ned Kelly, Eureka Stockade, and AN...

At time's beginning, so is often told, To birds and beasts gave Perkons stern commands, To dig the Daugava, come from nature's fold, To gnaw, to scratch, to peck in toiling band...

The new-wed pairs did not have long Their joyous unions to fulfil, Nor happiness to fashion strong, For Destiny's harsh unswerving will The grooms soon called into the field, Fr...

Time passed: One evening down Bearslayer went Into the stronghold's massive crypt alone, Where learnèd volumes safe the ages spent.- He saw, half open in the floor of stone, A t...

On All Souls' Day a feast was made complete. Much strove Laimdota, for upon this night Old Burtnieks departed souls would greet, And dear ones' spirits lost to death requite. Be...

Beneath the oak trees on the hill, That by the sacred grove near stood, The priests and chieftains talked their fill Of war and peace, things bad and good.- The runic scriptures...

At last Bearslayer stirred: The Maiden he implored, To show the course preferred, And let them go on board. The North Wind's Daughter gave Her vow all to fulfil, But sought thei...

Another time, Laimdota read anew:- "In the beginning nothing was. But plain There shone an endless light, from which all grew. No start or ending marked God's perfect reign. He...

him that Bearslayer was present in the Devil's Pit and saw the shameful deeds. To prevent Bearslayer revealing that he and Spidala are in league with the Devil, Kangars decides...

While all of this took place, Where down the Daugava falls, In Germany's far space, Behind a cloister's walls, A weeping maiden lay, To dear ones no recourse, From them false lu...

Though Spidala revenge had gained And borne Bearslayer's love away, Within her heart deep hate remained; More evil yet she sought to pay! So with the crone she northward flew, S...

Within the castle, watching from his chair, Sat old Aizkrauklis wrapped in thought profound. His only daughter, Spidala the fair, Sat at the pane with beads and rings decked rou...

The years passed by in peaceful Baltic lands: Great changes came and much Bearslayer learned. From Burtnieks he heard of warriors' fame, And with Koknesis knightly wisdom earned...

In azure vaults of heaven soaring bright, In lofty castles filled with endless joy, The God of Thunder, Perkons, dwells in light, And pleasure knows whose sweetness cannot cloy....

together by the Midsummer Priests. They bring offerings for the gods and gifts for each other, and gather around fires on the Azure Mountain. They pray for blessings for the com...

Upon the hills the forests gloomy soughed, In mountain passes swamp mists blocked the light, Dread serpents writhed and savage beasts roared loud, While frightened owls called l...

Escaped from in the convent's bound Laimdota travelled with her knight Through journeys long a seaport found, And there a ship to give them flight.- To foreign ports the sailors...

Divinely worshipped Staburadze fair, With jewelled adornments on her robes decked round But with a weight of sorrow and deep care, From Destiny's Council home her path had found...

power he sees, doubts the old gods, and decides to embrace Christianity and convert the Latvians. Back in Latvia, the people labour long building a walled city for the Germans,...

except for a track leading from the forest to a bridge and, at the seaward end of the bridge, a beautiful palace. Inside is a sumptuous meal, and in a second room soft beds for...

As first, Bearslayer stirred, The North Wind's Daughter told, That, lost, they were interred Within the northern cold. But their desire was clear, The homeward course to find: T...

Once through the forest's gloomy bound They reached a pleasant valley's floor, A cooling well within it found, Near which a tree sweet apples bore. The sailors hastened without...

Since ancient times, in fruitful Baltic lands, Where flows the Daugava in its winding bed, And in the fields the barley ripening stands, A life of joy the Latvians all have led....

These vows the Council brought now to its close- Their homeward paths the gods departing sought. When Staburadze last of all arose, And with these words portentous tidings broug...

And thence they came, both young and old, Both great and small, a happy throng. The men brought mead from honey gold, The wives brought cheese and bread along. The lads and lass...

The Baltic he decreed To be the Holy Land. All knights from sin he freed Committed by their hand, If in the Baltic's bounds, They fought the pagan foe, Built castles in strong g...

"I give you now a colt with saddle fine, Trim steed and sword of heavy metal true, A spear, a shield and silver spurs once mine, And headdress trimmed with fur of martens too. U...