Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Volume 01

Now the bride must be instructed, Who will teach the Maid of Beauty, Who instruct the Rainbow-daughter? Osmotar, the wisdom-maiden, Kalew's fair and lovely virgin, Osmotar will...

Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Long considered, long debated, How to woo and win the daughter Of the hostess of Pohyola, How to lead the Bride of Beauty, Fairy maiden of the rai...

PROEM RUNE I. Birth of Wainamoinen RUNE II. Wainamoinen's Sowing RUNE III. Wainamoinen and Youkahainen RUNE IV. The Fate of Aino RUNE V. Wainamoinen's Lamentation RUNE VI. Waina...

Lemminkainen's aged mother Anxious roams about the islands, Anxious wonders in her chambers, What the fate of Lemminkainen, Why her son so long has tarried; Thinks that somethin...

In primeval times, a maiden, Beauteous Daughter of the Ether, Passed for ages her existence In the great expanse of heaven, O'er the prairies yet enfolded. Wearisome the maiden...

Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Swam through all the deep-sea waters, Floating like a branch of aspen, Like a withered twig of willow; Swam six days in summer weather, Swam six n...

Of the minor deities of the earth, who severally govern the plants, such as trees, rye, flax, and barley, Wirokannas only is mentioned in The Kalevala. Once, for example, this "...

Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Passed his years in full contentment, On the meadows of Wainola, On the plains of Kalevala, Singing ever wondrous legends, Songs of ancient wit an...

Now we sing the wondrous legends, Songs of wedding-feasts and dances, Sing the melodies of wedlock, Sing the songs of old tradition; Sing of Ilmarinen's marriage To the Maiden o...

When the night had passed, the maiden, Sister fair of Youkahainen, Hastened early to the forest, Birchen shoots for brooms to gather, Went to gather birchen tassels; Bound a bun...

Wainamoinen, thus encouraged, Quickly rises in his snow-sledge, Asking no one for assistance, Straightway hastens to the cottage, Takes a seat within the dwelling. Come two maid...

Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Did not learn the words of magic In Tuoni's gloomy regions, In the kingdom of Manala. Thereupon he long debated, Well considered, long reflected,...

His example was followed by many of his enthusiastic countrymen, the more prominent of whom are Castren, Europaeus, Polen and Reniholm. Through the collections of these scholars...

Ilmarinen, hero-blacksmith, The eternal metal-worker, Hastens forward to the court-room Of the hostess of Pohyola, Of the master of the Northland, Hastens through the open porta...

Wainamoinen, the magician, Takes his steed of copper color, Hitches quick his fleet-foot courser, Puts his racer to the snow-sledge, Straightway springs upon the cross-seat, Sna...

Lemminkainen, artful husband, Reckless hero, Kaukomieli, Constantly beside his young wife., Passed his life in sweet contentment, And the years rolled swiftly onward; Ahti thoug...

Osmotar, the bride-instructor, Gives the wedding-guests this counsel, Speaks these measures to the bridegroom: "Ilmarinen, artist-brother, Best of all my hero-brothers, Of my mo...

Far and wide the tidings travelled, Far away men heard the story Of the flight and death of Aino, Sister dear of Youkahainen, Fairest daughter of creation. Wainamoinen, brave an...

When the marriage was completed, When the many guests had feasted, At the wedding of the Northland, At the Dismal-land carousal, Spake the hostess of Pohyola To the blacksmith,...

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 retur...

Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, The eternal wisdom-singer, For his boat was working lumber, Working long upon his vessel, On a fog-point jutting seaward, On an island, forest-cov...

This the time to sing of Ahti, Son of Lempo, Kaukomieli, Also known as Lemminkainen. Ahti was the king of islands, Grew amid the island-dwellings, At the site of his dear mother...

Louhi, hostess of the Northland, Ancient dame of Sariola, While at work within her dwelling, Heard the whips crack on the fenlands, Heard the rattle of the sledges; To the north...

Spake the ancient Lemminkainen To the hostess of Pohyola: "Give to me thy lovely daughter, Bring me now thy winsome maiden, Bring the best of Lapland virgins, Fairest virgin of...

Aar'ni (Ar'ni). The guardian of hidden treasures. A-ha'va. The West-wind; the father of the swift dogs. Ah'ti. The same as Lemminkainen. Ah'to. The great god of the waters. Ah't...