Chapter 26

The people come together and give thanks

In Latvia now Midsummer came, Called forth its children with one word, The country over, all the same, Now "Ligo, Ligo," clear was heard!

The nightingale with sweet refrain By every brook and streamlet trilled. Midsummer, Liga's Eve, again The carefree folk with pleasure filled.

Up to the Azure Mountain borne, The logs burned bright, for fires thence hauled. The Ligusoni Priests' loud horn All to the festive evening called.

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 lasses with them bore Soft grass and wreaths of flowers too, That on Midsummer's Eve all wore, Adorned themselves, and pleasure knew.

They danced, they ate, they drank, And down their offerings put; The priests, the folk to thank, Led to the altar's foot, Poured goblets full of mead, Burned costly herbs and rare, Whose sweet aromas, freed, Rose swirling in the air.

Together they all sang The famous songs and prayers, That to the goddess rang, And solace brought from cares:

"With love we look to you, Ligo, Ligo, Linked here in friendship true, Ligo!"

"Our humble farms now bless, Ligo, Ligo, Fill barns with your largesse, Ligo!"

"Now saddle your grey horse, Ligo, Ligo! Ride round our fields your course, Ligo!"

"Sow seeds of grass and grain, Ligo, Ligo, Fine barley grow again, Ligo!"

"For meadow grass we pray, Ligo, Ligo, Our heifers give fine hay, Ligo!"

"Let hay our heifers eat, Ligo, Ligo, Our colts feed oats grown sweet, Ligo!"

"Make all the flowers grow, Ligo, Ligo, That on our hillsides blow, Ligo!"

"Let maidens braid their hair, Ligo, Ligo, With wreaths of flowers fair, Ligo!"

"Give young men on all sides, Ligo, Ligo, Hardworking beauteous brides, Ligo!"

"To all our daughters yield, Ligo, Ligo, Strong men to till the field, Ligo!"

"Come to our farmyards near, Ligo, Ligo, Your children visit here, Ligo!"

"Guard us from evil's spell, Ligo, Ligo, That we may love you well, Ligo, Ligo, And of you we may tell, Ligo!"

The ancestors' spirits call the people to live in harmony

While rich the sound of song rose high Across the vale and woodland's tops, The shadows of their sires gone by Appeared within the sacred copse. Beneath the leafy oaks once more, To guard the people's soul they sped.- The priests these heroes passing saw, And reverent covered each his head.

The eldest of the priests then spoke, The teachings of their fathers told: In harmony and peace the folk Each to the other ought to hold; To give their brethren help and aid, When they were caught in suffering's grip.- Then soon both old and young obeyed, And all joined hands in fellowship.

They promised friendship through the land, And those in strife with fellow men Went to them, offered warm their hand, And lovingly sought peace again.

There in the grove upon the hill, Close to the gods come face to face, The folk could settle every ill, Blessed by the spirits' saving grace.

In groups there seated on the grass, The fathers and their wives agreed Within their family gifts to pass, While jugs and horns, filled up with mead, Passed all along from row to row, And each one drank a healthy pull. Then bread and cheese passed to and fro, And all was tasted to the full.

They ate and drank, discussed the year: Men had with workmates much to say, And women saw, again drawn near, Clan sisters come from far away. And even greybeards friends could spy, Their childhood comrades there could find, Companions from the days gone by, The age of youth, now left behind.

Midsummer's Eve best pleased the young; Their songs through wood and valley rang. The lads in crowds to love gave tongue, Hot-blooded songs of passion sang. The lasses answered, love denied- But in each maid was clear the case, The time she scarcely could abide, Until her love she would embrace.

Now closer pushed the youths in rows, Close to the maidens to advance, Until each found the one he chose, And hand in hand they joined the dance.