Part 19

195. In Finnish and Esthonian tales we often find persons transformed into trees and flowers; sometimes for purposes of concealment.

RUNO XXIX

242. "Grass-widows" are probably intended.

253-268. Even this old woman did not appeal to him in vain. We might compare with this passage Byron's _Don Juan_, VIII., cxxxi., cxxxii.

RUNO XXX

175, 187. Literally, "nails."

185. Pakkanen, Puhurin poika. Frost, the son of the North Wind.

389. The unmanly lamentations of the heroes over a fate that has not befallen them may remind us of Grimm's story of "Die kluge Else." It will also be noticed that the heroes are only concerned about their mothers; and Tiera has as little thought for his virgin bride as Lemminkainen has for Kyllikki.

RUNO XXXI

1. The tragedy of Kullervo is the favourite episode of the _Kalevala_ in Finland, next to that of Aino. The preamble (lines 1-10) is the same as the opening of the Esthonian _Kalevipoeg_. The story of the Esthonian hero, though he was a king and not a slave, resembles that of Kullervo in so many respects that he must have been the same character originally.

19. I think the change of style, indicative of different authorship, in this episode is sufficiently obvious even in a translation. Many words used here do not occur earlier in the poem.

91-96. The same story is told of the infant Kalevipoeg.

107. Esthonians call dwarfs "Ox-knee people"; _i. e._ people as high as an ox's knee.

137. Like Simple Simon.

337. It is obvious that some of the youthful exploits of Kwasind (slightly varied, after Longfellow's manner) are imitated from those of Kullervo. (Compare also Runo XXXV., 11-68.)

RUNO XXXII

24. The rye-bread, on which the Finnish peasants largely subsist, is described as baked in very hard round loaves, like quoits, which are strung on a pole. But Kullervo's cake seems to have been prepared to look nice on the outside.

156-162. Does this refer to stories of witches milking cattle?

206. Of juniper wood.

498. Literally, an apple-berry. Probably a small crab-apple is intended.

513. I think wolves are here intended, not dogs.

533. In the Esthonian story of the Northern Frog, the monster is secured by an iron stake driven through the jaws. (Kirby's _Hero of Esthonia_, II., 253, 256.)

542. These elaborate and ineffectual prayers and incantations may be compared with the prayers of Achilles for the safety of Patroclus, in _Iliad_, XVI.

RUNO XXXIII

40. Wheat is used in the folk-songs as a term of endearment. (K. K.)

61, 62. The Esthonian Kalevipoeg was constantly instructed by the voice of birds.

285-290. In Esthonia this episode occurs in the story of the Royal Herdboy. (_Hero of Esthonia_, I., pp. 279-305.)

RUNO XXXV

2. Are blue stockings supposed to be an emblem of strength? Ukko is also represented as wearing them.

29. "All with incredible stupendous force, None daring to appear antagonist." (Milton.)

65. As Kalervo appears to have been a chief in his own right, it not very clear why, or to whom, he had to pay taxes.

107, 108. The lake of course was frozen.

153. As in several other instances in the _Kalevala_, this does not appear to be abduction in the modern sense, but merely marriage by capture.

214. There is another celebrated poem written by a Finn, but in Swedish, Runeberg's _Kong_ (King) _Fjalar_, in which a similar chance meeting between a brother and sister forms the principal subject.

343. Sea-beasts are very rarely mentioned in the _Kalevala_, for nearly all aquatic animals referred to are lake- or river-fish. Here the allusion is probably to the story of Jonah.

RUNO XXXVI

80. Literally "the rest of his flesh." Having regard to the supposed powers of Finnish magicians, this passage is not to be taken merely as an impudent rejoinder, but as asserting powers which Kullervo actually claimed to be able to exert.

307. In an old English romance we read concerning the suicide of a sorcerer, "The ground whereon he died was ever afterwards unfortunate, and to this present time it is called in that country, 'a vale of walking spirits.'" (_Seven Champions of Christendom_, Part I., chap. xix.)

327. This reminds us of Sir Peter's "Sword of Vengeance." (Prior's _Danish Ballads_, I., pp. 269-275.)

341. The Esthonian Kalevipoeg was also slain, like Kullervo, by his own sword. (_Hero of Esthonia_, I., pp. 140, 141.)

RUNO XXXVII

56. Literally, their hatless shoulders.

61. Compare the account of the forging of the Sampo in Runo X.

RUNO XXXVIII

94. This might allude to the Viking practice of carving the Blood-Eagle on the backs of enemies; but Prof. Krohn remarks that this was unknown in Finland.

255. Here it seems that the mere fact of Ilmarinen having carried off the girl, even against her will, was enough to constitute her his lawful wife.

273. Ilmarinen's sword was less bloodthirsty than that of Kullervo; but it will be noticed that there is as little real chivalry in the _Kalevala_ generally as in old Scandinavian literature.

RUNO XL

274. Literally, "at the tips of my ten nails."

RUNO XLI

238. Similar incidents are common in folktales. The reader will recollect the decoration of Mama, the Woodpecker. (_Hiawatha_, IX.)

RUNO XLII

1-3. Here again we notice a difference of expression, indicating a different authorship.

52. "Mistress of the mighty spell." (Southey.)

146. Compare Runo XX., lines 17-118.

295. Literally, his finger-bones.

403. Perhaps the cap had ear-flaps to be worn in bad weather.

RUNO XLIII

37, 38. This seems to be meant ironically.

115-120. This, or something similar, is a common device for impeding a pursuer in European fairy tales.

177. Pohjan eukko. Another epithet for Louhi.

383, 384. The Sampo being not only an unfailing corn, salt, and money-mill, but a palladium of general prosperity, Pohjola would naturally fall into famine and misery when nothing remained but an almost worthless fragment of the cover. It is possible that the story may refer to some great and permanent change for the worse of the climate of the North; either during the storms and earthquakes of the fourteenth century, which would connect it with the plague described in Runo XLV.; or perhaps to a much earlier period, when, as old Persian books tell us, the climate of some part of Asia (?) was changed from nine months summer and three months winter, to nine months winter and three months summer.

RUNO XLV

41. Loviatar represents the evil and destructive powers of Nature, as opposed to the beneficent powers, represented in the _Kalevala_ under the twin aspects of Ilmatar and Marjatta.

117. This speech or invocation is not addressed to Loviatar, but apparently to some goddess similar to the Roman Lucina.

168. Dr. Russell says that the itch was more dreaded than the plague in Aleppo in the eighteenth century.

181. Pestilence has often been attributed to the anger of gods or demons; and Finland suffered severely from plague till well into the eighteenth century. But I am inclined to regard the plague described here as the Black Death, which must have ravaged Finland about 1350.

269, 282, 283. All these names have nearly the same significance, and might be rendered by "Dolores, our Lady of Pain."

RUNO XLVI

13, 14. The pestilence having abated at the approach of winter, the wild beasts naturally overran the devastated country. So I would interpret this passage.

25. Literally, three feathers, but the commentary gives the meaning adopted above.

81. For an account of bear-hunting in Finland, compare Acerbi's _Voyage to the North Cape_, I., pp. 288, 289.

168. Tapio is the lord of the forest here alluded to, according to the commentary.

246. The word here rendered "charge" literally means "bundle" or "package."

313. Probably the Danish Sound.

377. A honeyed forest perhaps means a forest abounding in honey-dew.

565, 566. These lines are rather musical:

Kuuluvilla karjan kellon, Luona tiukujen tirinän.

RUNO XLVII

15, 16. There is a Finnish ballad relating how the sun and moon were stolen by German and Esthonian sorcerers, and recovered by the son of Jumala. (_Kanteletar_, III., 2; translated by Mr. C. J. Billson, _Folklore_, VI., 343, 344.)

37. Compare the story of Maui stealing the fire in New Zealand legends.

128. Lake Ladoga seems to be intended.

233. Does this refer to tides? Tides can hardly be known in Finland, except by hearsay; the Baltic itself is almost tideless.

RUNO XLVIII

137, 138. Neptune's trident?

169. Here a different epithet is applied to Väinämöinen.

283. Probably _Polyporus igniarius_ or _P. fomentarius_, both of which are much used for tinder.

302. He appears to have thought that Panu was in league with the Fire.

RUNO XLIX

83. This is Rhabdomancy, or divination by rods.

417. Literally, at the end of our thumbs.

RUNO L

1. Marjatta korea kuopus.

Literally, Marjatta the elegant darling; an expression occurring nowhere else in the _Kalevala_. The story in the present Runo seems to exhibit a veneer of Christianity over Shaman legends. Even the name Marjatta, notwithstanding its resemblance to Maria, seems to be really derived from the word marja, a berry. An old writer says that the favourite deities of the Finns in his time were Väinämöinen and the Virgin Mary.

188. That is, a criminal who deserves to be burnt at the stake.

199, 200. She already recognizes her unborn son as an Avatar.

289. The word here rendered "hapless" properly means "little."

465. This is the only passage in the _Kalevala_ in which Väinämöinen is spoken of as ever having been young; though he is occasionally called young in variants.

465-468. This passage apparently alludes to Väinämöinen having sent Ilmarinen to Pohjola by a trick.

471-474. This must allude either to the fate of Aino, or to some story not included in the _Kalevala_.

501. In Esthonian legends, Vanemuine is not an Avatar and culture-hero, but the God of Music, who withdrew from men on account of the ribaldry with which some of his hearers received his divine songs. (_Hero of Esthonia_, II., pp. 80-85.) Longfellow also makes Hiawatha depart in a boat after the conclusion of his mission.

613, 614. These expressions remind us of the Buddha "breaking down the rafters and the roof-tree" preparatory to reaching Nirvano.

GLOSSARY OF FINNISH NAMES

(The dotted vowels are included with the others.)

AHAVA, _the cold spring East Wind_.

AHTI, _a name of Lemminkainen_.

AHTO, _the God of the Sea and of the Waters_.

AHTOLA, _the dominions of Ahto_.

ÄIJÖ, _the father of Iku-Turso_.

AINIKKI, _Lemminkainen's sister_.

AINO, _a Lapp maiden, Joukahainen's sister_.

ALUE, _name of a lake_.

ANNIKKI, _Ilmarinen's sister_.

ANTERO VIPUNEN, _a primeval giant or Titan, whom some commentators suppose to be the same as Kaleva_.

ETELÄTÄR, _the goddess of the South Wind_.

HÄLLÄPJÖRÄ, _name of a waterfall_.

HÄME, _Tavastland_.

HERMIKKI (SINEWY), _name of a cow_.

HIISI, _the same as Lempo, the Evil Power, somewhat resembling the Scandinavian Loki in character. His name is often used as a term of reprobation_.

HIITOLA, _the dominions of Hiisi_.

HONGATAR, _the goddess of the Fir-trees_.

HORNA (HELL), _name of a mountain_.

IKU-TURSO, _a water-giant; the name is doubtless connected with the Icelandic word Thurs, which means a giant, and which is also the name of the letter þ, called þa in Old English_.

ILMA (AIR), _name of Ilmarinen's homestead_.

ILMARI, } } _the primeval smith; still used as a proper name in ILMARINEN, } Finland_.

ILMATAR, _the Daughter of the Air; the Creatrix of the world, and the mother of Väinämöinen_.

ILPOTAR, _a name of Louhi_.

IMATRA, _the great falls or rapids in the river Vuoksi_.

INGERLAND, _usually known as Ingermanland_.

JOUKAHAINEN, } } _a young Laplander_. JOUKO, }

JOUKOLA, _the land of Joukahainen_.

JUMALA, OR UKKO, _God_.

JUOTIKKI (DRINKER), _name of a cow_.

JUUTAS, _a name probably derived from Judas. It is used as a name for Hiisi, and also as a term of reprobation_.

KAATRAKOSKI, _name of a waterfall_.

KALERVO, _a chieftain, the brother of Untamo, and the father of Kullervo_.

KALERVOINEN, _epithet of Kullervo_.

KALEVA, _the ancestor of the heroes, who does not appear in person in the Kalevala_.

KALEVALA, _the land of Kaleva_.

KALEVALAINEN, _a descendant of Kaleva_.

KALEVATAR, OR OSMOTAR, _the daughter of Kaleva_.

KALMA, _Death personified; he is more often called Tuoni or Mana_.

KAMMO, _a rock, the father of Kimmo_.

KANKAHATAR, _the goddess of Weaving_.

KANTELE, _the Finnish harp or zither_.

KANTELETAR, _the Daughter of the Harp; name given by Lönnrot to his published collection of Finnish ballads_.

KARJALA, _Carelia_.

KATAJATAR, _the nymph of the Juniper_.

KAUKO, } } KAUKOLAINEN, } _Names of Lemminkainen_. } KAUKOMIELI, }

KAUPPI, _a Laplander, skilled in making snowshoes_.

KEITOLAINEN, _the Contemptible One, one of the names of the Evil Power_.

KEMI, _name of a river_.

KIMMO, (1) _a stone_; (2) _name of a cow_.

KIPUTYTTÖ, _Maiden of Pain_.

KIRJO (_variegated, or dappled_), _name of a cow_.

KIVUTAR, _Daughter of Pain_.

KUIPPANA, _a name of Tapio_.

KULLERVO, } } _a hero, the son of Kalervo_. KULLERVOINEN, }

KUURA, _a name of Tiera_.

KUUTAR, _the Daughter of the Moon_.

KYLLI, } } _a maiden of Saari, whom Lemminkainen carries off and KYLLIKKI, } marries_.

LEMMINKAINEN, _a reckless adventurer_.

LEMPI (LOVE), _the father of Lemminkainen_.

LEMPO, or HIISI, _the Evil Power_.

LOKKA, _the mother of Ilmarinen_.

LOUHI, _the Mistress of Pohjola_.

LOVIATAR, _one of the daughters of Tuoni, and the mother of the Plagues_.

LUONNOTAR, _Daughter of Creation, a name applied to Ilmatar, and other celestial goddesses_.

LUOTOLA, _name of a bay_.

LYYLIKKI, _a name of Kauppi_.

MAIRIKKI, _name of a cow_.

MANA, or TUONI, _the God of Hades_.

MANALA, or TUONELA, _Hades_.

MANALAINEN = _Mana_.

MANALATAR, _Daughter of Mana_.

MANSIKKA (STRAWBERRY), _name of a cow_.

MARJATTA, _the mother of Väinämöinen's supplanter. She is usually identified with the Virgin Mary_.

MÄRKÄHATTU (WET-HAT), _name or epithet of a cow-herd who has been exposed to the rain_.

MELATAR, _the goddess of the Rudder_.

METSOLA, _the Woodlands, from metsa, a forest_.

MIELIKKI, _the Mistress of the Forests, the spouse of Tapio_.

MIMERKKI, _a name of Mielikki_.

MUSTI (BLACKIE), _a dog's name_.

MUURIKKI (BLACKIE), _name of a cow_.

NYYRIKKI, _the son of Tapio_.

OSMO, _a name of Kaleva_.

OSMOLA = _Kalevala_.

OSMOINEN, _an epithet of Väinämöinen_.

OSMOTAR, _the daughter of Osmo_.

OTAVA, _the constellation of the Great Bear_.

OTSO, _pet name for the bear_.

PAHALAINEN (THE WICKED ONE), _a name of the Evil Power_.

PÄIVÄTÄR, _the Daughter of the Sun_.

PAKKANEN, _the personified Frost_.

PALVONEN, _apparently the same as Tuuri_.

PANU, _the son of the Sun_.

PELLERVOINEN, _vide Sampsa_.

PIHLAJATAR, _the nymph of the Mountain-Ash tree_.

PILTTI, _the handmaid of Marjatta_.

PIMENTOLA, _a name of Pohjola_.

PISA, _name of a mountain_.

POHJA, _the North_.

POHJOLA, _the North Country_; (_a_) _A dark and dismal country to the north of Lapland, but sometimes identified with Lapland itself_; (_b_) _The castle or homestead of Louhi, to which the name of the country itself was applied_.

PUHURI, _the North Wind_.

PUOLUKKA (CRANBERRY), _name of a cow_.

RUOTUS, _the headman of a village_. (_Herod, according to the commentators._)

RUTJA, _a cataract, said to be the same as Turja_.

SAARELAINEN (THE ISLANDER), _an epithet of Lemminkainen_.

SAARI, _an island, especially the island now called Kronstadt_.

SAMPO, _a magic corn, salt and coin-mill_.

SAMPSA PELLERVOINEN, _the genius of agriculture_ (_from pellon or pelto, a field_), _the servant or agent of Väinämöinen_.

SARA } } _names of Pohjola_. SARIOLA }

SAVO (SAVOLAKS), _a province of Finland_.

SIMA, _a Sound in Pohjola_.

SINETAR, _a nymph who colours flowers blue_.

"SOTKO'S DAUGHTERS"; _the protecting nymphs of ducks_.

SUOMI, _Finland_.

SUONETAR, _the nymph of the veins_.

SURMA, _Death, or the God of Death_.

SUOVAKKO, _name of an old woman_.

SUVANTOLA (_the land of still waters_), _a name of Väinölä_.

SUVANTOLAINEN, _an epithet of Väinämöinen_.

SUVETAR, _the goddess of Summer_.

SYÖJÄTÄR, _an ogress, the mother of the serpents_.

SYÖTIKKI (EATER), _name of a cow_.

TAMMATAR, _the goddess of the oak tree_.

TANIKA, _name of the builder of a castle_.

TAPIO, _the God of the Forests_.

TAPIOLA, _the dominions of Tapio_.

TELLERVO, _the daughter of Tapio, but in some passages apparently identified with Mielikki_.

TERHENETAR, _the goddess of the Clouds_.

TIERA, _Lemminkainen's comrade in arms_.

TUOMETAR, _the goddess of the Bird Cherry_.

TUOMIKKI, _name of a cow_.

TUONELA, or MANALA, _Hades_.

TUONETAR, _the daughter of Tuoni_.

TUONI, or MANA, _the God of Hades_.

TUORIKKI, _name of a cow_.

TURJA, _Lapland; also name of a cataract_.

TURJALAINEN, _a Laplander_.

TURSAS, _vide Iki-Turso_.

TUULIKKI, _a daughter of Tapio_.

TUURI, _the builder of a house where honey is stored_.

UKKO (OLD MAN), _usually identified with Jumala, the God of Heaven, with special authority over the clouds_.

ULAPPALA (_the country of the open sea_), _apparently the same as Tuonela_.

UNTAMO } } (_a_) _the god of Sleep and Dreams;_ (_b_) _a turbulent UNTAMOINEN, } chieftain, the brother of Kalervo_.

UNTAMOLA, _the dominions of Untamo; sometimes used for Untamo himself_.

UNTO, _short for Untamo_.

UNTOLA, _the dominions of Unto_.

UVANTO } } _names of Väinämöinen_. UVANTOLAINEN }

VÄINÄMÖINEN, _the primeval minstrel and culture-hero, the son of Ilmatar_ (_the name, as pronounced, sounds like Vannamoenen_).

VÄINÖ, _short for Väinämöinen_.

VÄINÖLÄ, _the dominions of Väinämöinen_ (=_Kalevala_.)

VAMMATAR, _the Daughter of Evil_.

VELLAMO, _the goddess of the Sea and of the Waters, the spouse of Ahto_.

VIPUNEN, _vide Antero Vipunen_.

VIRO, _Esthonia_.

VIROKANNAS, _used as a proper name; apparently meaning the Wise Esthonian_.

VUOJALAINEN, _a name of Lyylikki_.

VUOKSI, _an important river which flows into Lake Ladoga_.

THE END

RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, BREAD STREET HILL, E.C., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.