2019-01-04-poetry-57787-temp0.4-topk40-penalize0.85-length1024-step64.txt

!git clone https://github.com/shawwn/gpt-2 /content/gpt-2
%cd /content/gpt-2
!pip3 install tqdm toposort regex fire pytz
!python3 download_model.py 1558M
!gsutil cp gs://gpt-2-poetry/checkpoint/poetryxl/model-57787.hdf5 models/1558M/model-57787.hdf5
!python3 src/generate_samples.py --model_name 1558M --length 1024 --step 64 --top_k 40 --temperature 0.4 --penalize 0.85

The light of this world, and the soul's desire.
Oft have I seen thee in thy garden walk,
And heard thy voice in the morning breeze:
But now, alas! thou art laid away;
Thy love is all that lives on earth below.

"I am not worthy," she said, "to be loved--
Not worthy to feel a human heart beat--
For I have lived too long with my own soul,
Who could not bear another's.  But why?
Why should I live so long with aught but God?"
She turned her face from heaven to earth again,
And cried out, "What more can man do for me,
If I would give him all my soul and body,
To make his life a little less than mine?"

When she had thus spoken, without delay
His arm about her waist, he whispered, "Dear,"
Then pressed himself upon her mouth, and pressed his lips
Upon hers as though they were one man's,
As though their souls were one, as though their hearts
Were like two wombs within them beating one.
He kissed her forehead, and his arms went round
Her beautiful neck; then in his strong hands
Grabbed at her golden ringlets, while his breath
Was warm upon her cheek, as though it burned.

He brought her back to bed, and made her fast
By his strong hands, and said, "Be silent.
Think of your dear child, who is far away,
Far off from you.  Be quiet."  Then he took
A sword from its scabbard, and cut her hair,
And bound her wrists, and set her on the floor,
And left her there, and went out into the night.

There was a great wind, and the moon grew dim,
And the stars came forth from hiding places,
And the shadows fell upon the house-top.
The curtains were drawn, except those which hung
About the window-sill, and the door-posts.
In the room where the bride was lying, there stood
An old woman, knitting, when the door opened,
And the young man entered, and looked around
At each corner, and through every opening nook,
Tore open each curtain, and drew the blind.

And lo! an angel appeared before her eyes,
With wings upon his head, and a crown,
And a harp of gold upon his right hand,
And a voice, whose sound was musical as song,
Called, "Come, blessed of my Father!"  And the veil
That divided the bridegroom and the bride
From the Holy Spirit descended, and they saw
A glorious vision of heavenly beauty,
Wherein the Lord Jesus Christ was seated on
The right hand of Majesty, and on the left
A dame Divine was singing, while angels played
Choral music on their harps.  The bride's dress
Was such as by the sea shore is worn by fair
Bridal ladies, when they come from the bridal feast,
Wearing their jewels, and are called the Brides of Dawn.

And the young men bowed down with awe before the throne,
And the harpers played, and the elders spoke together,
And the virgin queen gave thanks unto the Most High
That her youth had been preserved, and her beauty kept.
Then the angel of the Lord departed, and the veil
Dropped from her sight, and she saw the glory of God.

Now the young men sat together, and the bride
Gazed upon the floor, and the maidens clustered round,
And the old woman knitted, and the harper played,
While the elders talked among themselves, and the choir
Of angels sang, while the cherubim soared above
The city, and the trumpets sounded.  Now the young men bowed
Their heads upon their bosoms, and the harpers stopped
Their songs, and the elders murmured, "We know not what
This may mean."  When the young men rose up, the maidens gathered
Around them, and the bridegroom knelt down by the bride.

Then the elder said, "My son, we must go our ways,
And leave thee here alone.  Thou hast given us much
Of evil, and much good has fallen from thee.
Go home, and forget, and let others tell how
They met Him, or were near Him, or touched His hand,
Or saw the heavens opened, or heard a voice say,
'Lo, this is best!'  We will not listen to thee.
Only remember that He whom thou didst meet
Is greater than all gods, and that He hears and sees
All things, and knows all things, and hath power to save."

"I am thy brother," answered the young man, "and thou art kind."
But the old man shook his head, and replied, "Nay, nay,
Thou shalt not be my brother, for thou art not fit
To be my brother.  Go now, and keep thine own path,
For I shall follow after thee.  Take heed thou speak
No word to any mortal thing, nor look upon
The sun or the moon, neither eat bread nor wine,
Nor drink wine, till thou hast seen the living God."

So saying, he led the way, and the young man followed.
When the young man reached the place where the road turns,
His thoughts were troubled, but he knew not why.
It seemed as if a heavy weight were laid on his heart.
He knelt down, and prayed that He would send him help.
Then the young man raised himself up, and began
To walk in silence, and still walked onward.

When the young man had gone some distance, he paused,
And turned about to see the place again;
And then he muttered, "Ah me!  Ah me!  How strange!
How different from what it used to be!
What ails me?  Why do I feel so weak and weary?"
And he sighed, and answered, "Why do ye weep?
Ye have no cause to weep.  Ye shall not die,
Because I have spoken thus to thee.  I
Am not dead, though I seem to lie like one
Who lies asleep, but live, and move, and think,
And hear, and see, and taste, and smell, and touch.
My spirit is within me, and I can see
The face of the Eternal, who looks upon
Me with love, and hears my prayer, and hears
My sighs, and answers them.  Therefore ye weep."

Meanwhile, the old man came forth from his cell,
And stood beside the youth, and spake unto him:
"O thou of my blood, beloved of mine heart,
Hast thou forgotten me?  Have I lost my soul,
Or is my spirit in thee hidden still?
Remember me, beloved!  Remember me!"

Thus the old man spake, and the youth answered him,
"I remember thee, O father, and I remember
The love of thy daughter for me, and the pain
Which thou hast borne, because of her love for me.
I remember thee, and I remember well
The sorrow which thou hast suffered, and the shame
Which thou hast gone through, even though thou wert proud.
I remember thee, and I remember well
The joy of thy life, and the high estate
Which thou hast won, and the fame which thou hast won.
Oh, father, forgive me, if I have offended
In speaking thus to thee, and in loving thee.
Come, let us go hence together, and forget
Our griefs, and our sins, and our sorrows past.
Let us forget them, and come together again,
As when we parted, dear father, from the world.
Take thou my hand, and lead me softly along.
Father, I remember thee, and I remember well
The sweet memories which thou hast given me, and the hope
That thou wilt give me more, and the tender trust
Which thou hast placed in me.  Come, let us go hence,
Together, and forget our griefs, and our sin,
And our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.
Let us go hence together, and forget our pain,
And our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.

"If I forget thee, father, forgive me; but if
I forget thee, oh, forgive me!  Forgive me,
Father, if I have offended against thee.
Forgive me, if I have offended, and pray
That thou wilt pardon me, and lead me gently by thy side,
Until we part, and forget our griefs, and our sin,
And our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.
Let us go hence together, and forget our sorrows,
And our sin, and our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.

"Do not chide me, father, if I seem to grieve,
For I remember thee, and I remember well
The fond affection which thou hast shown me, and the faith
Which thou hast put into me, and the trust which thou hast cast
Upon me.  Come, let us go hence together, and let us
Forget our griefs, and our sin, and our sorrows past,
And our sorrows yet to come, and our sorrows yet to come.
Let us go hence together, and forget our sorrows,
And our sin, and our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.

"Father, I remember thee, and I remember well
Thy gentle words, and the soft look with which thou dost speak
Unto my mind, and the light which shineth from above
With its beams upon me.  Father, I remember thee,
And I remember well the sweetness of thy smile.
Come, let us go hence together, and let us forget
Our griefs, and our sins, and our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.
Let us go hence together, and forget our sorrows,
And our sin, and our sorrows past, and our sorrows yet to come.

"I will remember thee, and will keep thee always near me,
So that thou shalt never leave me, nor depart from me.
I will make thee strong in all my thoughts and desires,
To comfort me at night, to comfort me in the day,
To comfort me on holy days, when my heart is sad.
I will take thee in my arms, and I will cherish thee so,
Till death shall take thee away, and lay thee in the grave.
Father, I will remember thee, and will keep thee always near me,
So that thou shalt never leave me, nor depart from me.
I will make thee strong in all my thoughts and desires,
To comfort me at night, to comfort me in the day,
To comfort me on holy days, when my heart is sad.
I will take thee in my arms, and I will cherish thee so,
Till death shall take thee away, and lay thee in the grave."

Thus they spake one to the other, in their silent room,
And they went out together, and he took his way
Through the crowded city, till he came unto a place
Where there was no sound save the wind's breath, and then
A sobbing voice called out, "O God, be merciful!"
Then suddenly from the darkness a voice cried out,
"Nay, do not weep, my child," and it answered, "My child,
I am here to help you, and I will protect you."

It was a little girl who cried aloud,
Calling out to Him who had spoken with her,
"Lord, Lord, are Thou alive?
Are Thy eyes open?
Is Thy face seen?
Canst Thou hear me crying?"

He heard her weeping, for He loved her so,
But she could not see or understand His answer,
Because of the darkness of the room where she stood.
She only knew that He would soon return,
And bring her back her lost darling, and bless her.
When He came to meet her, He asked her, "Why weepest thou?"
She did not know what to say, and still less did He,
But she knelt down before Him and made this prayer:

"Dear Lord, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard my cry,
And hast answered me thus, for I am faint and weary,
And cannot tell how much longer I can bear it.
My poor baby has fallen asleep, and I must feed
Her little spoonfuls of milk, and give her some of thine.
Now, sweet Jesus, I beseech Thee, let Thy mercy fall
On these small things, and on my helpless babe, and send
Some balm upon my soul, lest I perish utterly.
Oh! I am weak, but I love Thee, and I ask Thee now
Only to be quiet and to sleep; and I beg Thee to pray
For me, as I may die, that I may not lose my life.

"Sweet Jesus, I thank Thee for Thy pity, and for Thy grace,
That Thou hast heard my cry, and hast answered me thus,
For I am faint and weary, and cannot tell how long
Before Thy will I must suffer, and how long before
My spirit shall fly from me. Oh! I am very woe-begone,
And very weak, and nothing can sustain me now,
Save Thy dear Son, and Thy blessed Angels, and Thy saints,
Who watch over me, and keep me safe from harm.
Oh! I am weak, but I love Thee, and I ask Thee now
only to be quiet and to sleep; and I beg Thee to pray
For me, as I may die, that I may not lose my life."

The Savior bent down His head, and held His hand
Upon the little child's forehead, and said, "Child, O child,
Be calm. Be calm, and rest, because Thou art loved.
Thou shalt have peace, and joy, and patience, and strength,
And loving kindness from the tender Mother who bore Thee.
Be calm, and rest, because Thou art loved. And if I
Have offended against Thee, forgive me, and make me clean."

The Savior lifted up His hands to heaven, and prayed
With a loud voice, "Prayers for my mother, Mary,
And the angels, and all the Saints, that watch above,
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

As we journeyed through the forest,
One by one,
We passed the dead tree,
And the lone cedar,
And the pine-tree tall,
And the oak-tree old,
And the box elder,
And the poplar,
And the cypress,
And the tamarack,
And the redwood,
And the sassafras,
And the white cedar,
And the oaks,
And the birches,
And the elms,
And the lindens,
And the willows,
And the poplars,
And the tamarisks,
And the cypresses,
And the firs,
And the aspens,
And the maples,
And the pines,
And the fir-trees tall,
And the oak-trees old,
And the aspen,
And the maples,
And the larch-trees gay,
And the poplars,
And the elms,
And the alders,
And the balsams,
And the maples,
And the fir-trees fair,
And the poplars,
And the elms,
And the aspens,
And the maples,
And the fir-trees gay,
And the larch-trees gay,
And the poplars,
And the elms,
All were dead,
And the living
Were scattered far and wide.

Our path was cut by
A river winding,
And we followed it,
Where it flowed out,
To the sea,
And the sea was dry.

Then the wind rose higher,
Till it blew so fiercely,
It seemed as though it would sweep us off our feet,
And we should never cross again.

So we turned back,
And we crossed the stream,
And we went on,
Until we reached the town,
And we saw the bridge across the river,
And we looked into its watery depths,
And we saw the boats come floating in,
And we saw the people coming with them,
But we could not cross the river,
Because of the wind blowing so hard.

"Is there no way across the river?" we asked of each other.
"There is," they answered us, "if you are strong enough."
So we climbed the tallest trees in the forest,
And we hung like kites on their branches,
And we swung like pendulums,
And we flew like doves,
And we soared like eagles,
And we fell like leaves,
And we floated like logs,
And we drifted like straws,
And we sank like stones,
And we swam like brooks,
And we crawled like worms,
And we ran like cattle,
And we walked like deer,
And we ran like sheep,
And we stumbled like horses,
And we stumbled like doves,
Like an army running,
Or like a crowd of people walking.

And we came to the end of the road,
And we saw the boatmen standing on the shore,
And we saw the men who carried the baskets,
And we saw the women who gathered the corn,
And we saw the children who played among themselves.
But we could not cross the river,
Because of the wind blowing so hard.

When we had crossed the river,
Upward still we moved along,
Toward the sky,
Towards the sun,
Towards the moon,
Towards the stars.

And we heard the sound of the waters,
And we saw the lights of ships,
And we heard the shouts of sailors,
And we saw the sails of ships,
And the flags of sailors waving.
But we could not cross the water,
Because of the wind blowing so hard.

And we heard the sounds of music,
And we saw the forms of dancers,
And we heard the voices of singers,
And we saw the faces of maidens,
And the arms of young lovers embracing.
But we could not cross the water,
Because of the wind blowing so hard.

Now the world has changed,
Since the days of Jacob,
When the Lord gave unto his people
This land to possess;
From this hill country,
From these valleys,
From these mountains,
From these lowlands,
From these highlands,
From these plains,
From these forests,
From these prairies,
From these sands of rivers,
From these steppes,
From these deserts,
From these mountain passes,
From these valleys,
From these hillsides,
From these mountains,
From these prairie townships,
From these cities,
From these populous villages,
From these great metropolises,
From these great cities,
From these broad lands,
From these narrow lands,
From these islands,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these deep lakes,
From these streams,
From these rivers,
From these seas,
From these vast oceans,
From these islands,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these islands,
From these deep lakes,
From these streams,
From these rivers,
From these seas,
From these vast oceans,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these great Atlantic shores,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these great Atlantic coasts,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these great Atlantic shores,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these great Atlantic shores,
From these islands,
From these straits,
From these great Atlantic shores,
From these islands,
From this land,
From this city,
From this kingdom,
From this mighty nation,
From this happy people.

The old man sits alone at the gate of the wigwam,
Wrapped in thought and silent; his pipe is broken,
His feast is ended, his guests have left him,
He only wishes that they would return again,
For he has many things to ask of them,
Things of great moment to be sure,
That will make all the difference between
These here who dwell together in harmony,
And those who live apart from it,
In feud or hate, in hunger or in riches.

It was not always thus; for long ago
Before the first white man came here to settle,
Long before the red man's foot had trod this soil,
Long before the crows were here to sing or scream,
Long before the grass was green, and birds were free,
A different race of men inhabited this place,
One who knew how to till the ground, to till and grow,
To hunt the game, plant the crop, raise the vine,
Make fast the wick of fire, tend the flock, keep good cheer,
Gather wild rice, sell it at home, or make wine,
Use iron tools, wear skins of bison, bear coats of ermine,
And walk erect with straight back and shoulders, strong and swift.

They had their homes, and gardens, too, and farms,
Their cabins, shanties, cabins again,
With roofs made of reeds, with walls of cane,
With poles driven into the earth, with logs of wood,
With stone walls, and roofs of clay, and roofs of slate,
Each having its separate meaning and use,
Like men who built by themselves the town
Of Kwasind, or of Nokomis, or of Oweenee,
Built by themselves, as if they had been commanded.

So when the first white man came here to settle,
They built a village, and erected houses,
Covered with brushwood, roofed with cotton-wood,
Planted fields and planted corn, and raised a fence,
Made roads and highways through the forest,
And even then the settlers found trouble,
Finding no peace among them, nor any law.
Some killed each other, some fought with dogs,
And some killed the children, and stole the cattle.
Then they built a court-house, and placed thereon
Courts for hearing disputes, and for punishing crimes.
There the women gathered to advise on marriages,
Wedded women sat together, and the men,
Deciding what should be done, advised one another.
Many quarrels arose, and much bloodshed
Rang out among the strangers, until
At last they said: "We must drive them out, or let them stay."

But the people looked up to heaven, and prayed,
Prayed earnestly, and wept, and humbly asked:
"How may we drive them out, or safely send them away?"
Said the old man: "I know not, but I know this,
Let us build a lodge for them to live in,
Build it well, and leave it standing still so long,
Until they learn to love us, and come hither,
Come to our country, and learn to work and pray,
Learn to till the ground, and plant the grain,
Work the harvest, and give alms to others."

Thus the old man spake, and they agreed,
Building for them a lodge, and covering it over
With leaves and branches of trees, and leaves and branches.
All day long they worked and labored, building lodges,
Till evening came, and then they laid them down to sleep,
Filling the air with odors, filling the sky with stars.
When night came, they rose and went to rest again,
And the old man said: "Now let us go to sleep,
For the sun sets soon, and the shadows lengthen,
And the time draws near when we shall leave this place,
Leave our work unfinished, and our labor fruitless."

On the shore stood a birch canoe,
Its sides painted like the sea-shore,
Its prow like an ocean shell,
Its body made of bark and sinew,
And the sail made of deer-skin.
Round about it were palisades,
Seven in number, strong and impregnable,
And behind them seven more strong and strong,
And these were palisades of the strongest pine-trees,
Studded tightly around with elm-bark,
Bound securely with cords of elm-bark.
Here the hunter would lie and wait
While the animal passed below him,
Or watch while it passed above him,
Or watch while it swam beside him,
Or stand watching while it flew.
He could hear the panting of the beast,
The rushing of the streamlet when it rushes,
And the thunder of the falling rain-cloud.
He could see far off the distant mountain range,
Far off the horizon stretching far away,
As he lay dreaming in his bed of leaves,
Watching the birch canoe pass beneath him,
Pass beneath him, and disappear in the distance.

In the morning the hunter awoke,
Walked barefooted all day long,
And at night returned to his wigwam,
Where he slept soundly all night,
In his room constructed from the trunk of a pine-tree.
There was never a creak, crack, or whisper,
Nor a breath of wind, nor a breath of water,
That did not wake him at midnight,
When the red fire lighted his wigwam,
Lit it from within, and caused it to tremble,
And make a noise as of footsteps passing by,
Sounds of voices, sounds of feet approaching,
Sounds of weapons clashing, and words spoken.
There was never a footfall, creaking, rustling,
Not a leaf stirred, not a twig quivered,
Save where rocks cracked underfoot,
Or where mossy stones gave forth a whispering,
Whispering sounds of lovers' voices.
No insects buzzed about him,
Only the black moths that flew before him,
Flying slowly, lightly, swiftly,
And now and then glancing suddenly,
Sudden dropping from the sky,
Leaping into his face,
Hissing loudly, and flying fast away.
He heard their buzzing, listened, wondered;
Why do they fly? Why do they hover?
What do they want? What strange adventure
Is their errand here? He thought it queer
They flew so strangely, so fleetly,
Like little birds, not like horses,
Darting through the forest, soaring high,
Swooping low, and diving deep, and diving fast,
Careening through the air like bats,
Bearing messages to the moon.
Then he saw the figure of a maiden
Floating in mid-air, floating slow,
Midway between two islands floating,
Between two points on the horizon,
Midway between two stars revolving,
Midway between two worlds revolving,
Midway between two worlds descending,
Moving slowly, gently, swimming,
Waving her arms, and waving her hands,
Shouting aloud, and shouting wildly,
Calling on the heavens, calling on the earth,
Crying aloud, crying out in vain,
Crying for help, crying for mercy,
Calling on the Creator, calling on the creature,
Calling on the Father, calling on the mother,
Calling on the Holy Ghost,
Calling on the Spirits of the Waters,
Calling on the Spirits of the Air,
Calling on the Spirits of Fire,
Calling on the Spirits of Water,
Calling on the Spirits of Earth,
Calling on the Spirits of Sky,
Calling on the Spirits of Silence,
Calling on the Spirits of Cloud,
Calling on the Spirits of Night,
Calling on the Spirits of Day,
Calling on the Spirits of Mist,
Calling on the Spirits of Rain,
Calling on the Spirits of Hail,
Calling on the Spirits of Snow,
Calling on the Spirits of Sunbeams,
Calling on the Spirits of Lightnings,
Calling on the Spirits of Thunder,
Calling on the Spirits of Wind,
Calling on the Spirits of Hunting,
Calling on the Spirits of Fishing,
Calling on the Spirits of Fishes,
Calling on the Spirits of Trees,
Calling on the Spirits of Stars,
Calling on the Spirits of Heavens,
Calling on the Spirits of Worlds,
Calling on the Spirits of Ages,
Calling on the Spirits of Nations,
Caller of spirits, Spirit of evil,
Ghost of evil, spirit of trouble,
Spirit of sorrow, trouble, crime,
Spirits of death, troubles, crimes,
Spirits of murder, wars, battles,
Spirits of sickness, diseases,
Spirits of famine, pestilence,
Spirits of battle, bloodshed, slaughter,
Spirits of war, blood, carnage, slaughter,
Spirits of destruction, deaths, catastrophes,
Spirits of earthquakes, volcanoes, fires,
Spirits of floods, waters, floods,
Spirits of tempests, storms, disturbances,
Spirits of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
Spirits of meteors, comets, explosions,
Spirits of volcanoes, flames,
Spirits of earthquakes, volcanoes, fires,
Spirits of floods, waters, floods,
Spirits of tempests, storms, disturbances,
Spirits of death, troubles, crime,
Spirits of hunger, disease, suffering,
Spirits of sickness, disasters,
Spirits of warfare, casualties, deaths,
Spirits of murder, wars, battles,
Spirits of devastation, deaths, catastrophes,
Spirits of war, blood, carnage, slaughter,
Spirits of war, violence, bloodshed, slaughter,
Spirits of murder, wars, battles,
Spirits of famine, pestilence,
Spirits of famine, epidemics,
Spirits of battles, casualties, deaths,
Spirits of murders, wars, battles,
Spirits of conquests, victories, triumphs,
Spirits of conquest, conquests, triumphs,
Spirits of peace, peace, prosperity,
Spirits of joy, joy, happiness,
Spirits of love, love, passion, tenderness,
Spirits of life, joy, passion, tenderness,
Spirits of immortality, immortality,
Spirits of peace, joy, happiness,
Spirits of immortality, immortality,
<|endoftext|>
"The Man Who Was Not There", by Robert Wrigley [Living, Death, Growing Old, Health & Illness, Relationships, Family & Ancestors]
I was not there when I felt your hand in mine
Or see you lie with your head against my chest
And hear your breath come short as a woman's sigh.
I was not there when you were sick or well
But watched you climb the stairs of your room
With aching feet and aching heart and aching head.
You told me once that you could feel the air
Freshening in your lungs when you breathed it out
And thought how the trees would bend to listen.
I have seen you rise from bed at dawn
And walk across the hall to the window seat
To watch the clouds pass over the mountains.
I have sat beside you in the porch swing
When the sun shone so bright it burned your eyes.
I have known you in the dark and light
And heard you sing through all the years.
In the days before I knew you well
I had no words to tell you who you are.
Now I know you because I am here.
My body is tired and weak and old.
Your hands are like the fingers of an angel.
My soul is full of hope and strength and love.
<|endoftext|>
"A Poem for My Sister", by Robert Wrigley [Living, Life Choices, Love, Desire, Realistic & Complicated, Social Commentaries, Gender & Sexuality]
She has been waiting for this moment since she learned to walk. She’s been calling for it ever since. It’s her whole world. I can’t get enough of her. I want her to be happy.

I want her to be strong. To be free. To be herself. And to be able to stand up for what she believes in.

I want her to be kind. To help people in need. To never forget where she came from.

I want her to be true. To do the right thing even if it hurts. Even if she feels guilty about doing it.

I want her to be brave. To keep going until she gets what she wants. And then not give up.

I want her to be good. To treat others as she wishes to be treated. To live in accordance with her values.

I want her to be honest. To be straight forward with everyone she meets. To always speak the truth even if it hurts.

I want her to be loyal. To always put the needs of those around her first.

I want her to be generous. To give freely without expecting anything in return.

I want her to be compassionate. To be gentle with those less fortunate than herself.

I want her to be kind. To show kindness to everyone she meets.

I want her to be courageous. To face down fear with courage. To be strong even when things seem impossible.

I want her to be patient. To wait patiently for what comes next.

I want her to be kind. To use her gifts to make others happy.

I want her to be truthful. To let her feelings be known even when they hurt.

I want her to be brave. To take on whatever life throws at her.

I want her to be good. To be kind to all living creatures.

I want her to be honest. To always keep her word.

I want her to be loyal. To always put the needs of those around her first.

I want her to be kind. To teach kindness to others.
<|endoftext|>
"A Poem for My Brother", by Robert Wrigley [Living, Parenthood, Sorrow & Grieving, The Body, Time & Brevity, Relationships, Family & Ancestors]
He is not here. He does not exist.

He did not die. He will not die.

He will not cease to exist.

He will not go away.

He will not disappear.

He will not die.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

I will not leave him.

I will not leave him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will shelter him.

I will hide him.

I will clothe him.

I will feed him.

I will cherish him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

I will remain him.

I will remain him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will guard him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not depart.

I will stay him.

I will protect him.

I will shield him.

I will clothe him.

I will cherish him.

He will not leave me.

He will not leave me.

<|endoftext|>
"The Night of the Hunter", by Thomas McGrath [Nature, Animals, Social Commentaries, History & Politics]
In the night of the hunter
The moon was a black hole
That sucked in everything
Except for its own soul
Which went into space and came back
As one who had never been away.
The moon was a black hole that swallowed
All light except for itself,
And all light except for itself.
In the night of the hunter
It is as if the moon were a sword
With which we fight our battles,
And the moon is a sword that we wield
Against the darkness and against fear,
But it is a sword whose edge we know,
Who knows his own edge?
In the night of the hunter
We are alone with ourselves.
<|endoftext|>
"Coda", by Thomas McGrath [Living, Death, Sorrow & Grieving, Relationships, Family & Ancestors]
For my mother

When I think of you
I see her face
From another room,
In the dark, like a ghost.
She has no body, only a head.
Her eyes are the stars
Of some other world,
Where she is always beautiful.
She walks among her flowers,
And they are the people who love her.
They have their hands on her knees,
Their arms around her waist,
And they whisper to her in dreams.
Her heart beats so fast,
So softly,
It seems as though it would break.
My father says: "Mother,
You must give your life to God."
But I do not believe in God.
I am afraid of Him.
Sometimes I wonder what He wants from us.
He does not seem to care about us.
Perhaps He just likes being near us.
<|endoftext|>
"A Short Story About My Mother", by Thomas McGrath [Living, Parenthood, Activities, Jobs & Working, Arts & Sciences, Poetry & Poets]
At ten years old, I wrote poems,
And at fifteen, I was sent to boarding school.
At sixteen, I joined the army.
Then I married, gave birth to two children,
And started writing again.
I was a poet, a soldier, a writer,
And lived in Paris.
I was a journalist, a teacher, a printer,
And worked in London.
Now I live in New York City.
My husband and I have a house on Fifth Avenue,
And I write in the evening while he works.
We have a dog called Charlie,
And a cat named Puss.
Charlie has a long white tail,
Puss has a little round belly.
Our daughter's name is Lily-Rose,
And my son's name is Jack-o'-Lantern.
Jack-o'-Lantern lives in a pumpkin patch,
And Lily-Rose is my daughter's pet.
She sits under a glowing star,
And I watch over her in the dark.
I can hear the wind blowing through the trees,
And the leaves rustling in the air.
Every autumn, when the leaves fall,
I go out to look for Lily-Rose.
I find her in the pumpkin patch,
Under the glowing star.
I hold her close to my breast,
And kiss her on the forehead.
She starts up slowly,
Looks down at me with big blue eyes,
And purrs and purrs until she falls asleep.
I lie beside her, stroking her hair,
And listen to the wind blow past.
I feel her warm breath on my cheek,
Feel her warm breath on my neck.
I watch the bright moon rise above the trees,
And the stars twinkle in the sky.
<|endoftext|>
"Hymn for the Dead", by Thomas McGrath [Living, Death, Life Choices, Time & Brevity, Religion, Christianity]
O Lord, let me be still
in this place where nothing is happening;
let me be still
and let me be holy.
Let me be still
with my thoughts, with my fears,
with my hopes, with my doubts,
with my joys,
with my sorrows,
with my loves,
with my griefs,
with my laughter,
with my tears,
with my music,
with my words,
with my love,
with my pain,
with my hope,
with my peace,
with my suffering,
with my longing,
with my joys,
with my sorrows,
with my laughter,
with my love,
with my sadness,
with my laughter,
with my love,
with my pain,
with my hope,
with my suffering,
with my laughter,
with my griefs,
with my songs,
with my love,
with my suffering,
with my joys,
with my sorrows,
with my laughter,
with my love,
with my pain,
with my hope,
with my suffering,
with my laughter,
with my words,
with my love,
with my suffering,
with my joys,
with my sorrows,
with my love,
with my pain,
with my passion,
with my hope,
with my suffering,
with my joy,
with my peace,
with my suffering,
with my laughter,
with my love,
with my suffering,
with my joys,
with my sorrows,
with my laughter,
with my love,
with my suffering,
with my joy,
<|endoftext|>
"The Man Who Went to the Moon", by Thomas McGrath [Living, The Mind, Nature, Stars,  Planets,  Heavens, Mythology & Folklore, Fairy-tales & Legends]
For John Donne

I saw a man go’eright into space.
I did not see him come back.
His clothes were yellow like the grass.
His shoes were yellow and green.
His hair was yellow as grass.
His face was yellow as grass.
His mouth was yellow as grass.
His head was yellow as grass.
His feet were yellow as grass.
His neck was yellow as grass.
His ears were yellow as grass.
His nose was yellow as grass.
His lips were yellow as grass.
His eyes were yellow as grass.
His mouth was yellow as grass.
He had no teeth.
His tongue hung like a carrot.
His cheeks were yellow as grass.
His chin was yellow as grass.
His throat was yellow as grass.
His chest was yellow as grass.
His legs were yellow as grass.
His arms were yellow as grass.
His head fell off like a stick of wood.
It lay there like a dead fish.
There was no blood.
There was no brain.
There was no heart.
There was no eye.
There was no head.
There was no body.
There was only yellow.
<|endoftext|>
"A Song: “Love is a sickness that comes from God”", by William Blake [Religion, Faith & Doubt, God & the Divine]
(excerpt)

Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you lose your reason; And then you die. Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you blind; And then you die. Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you mad; And then you die. Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you cold; And then you die. Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you dumb; And then you die. Love is a sickness that comes from God,
That makes you dumb; And then you die.
<|endoftext|>
"From “The Marriage of Figaro”", by William Shakespeare [Love, Desire, Realistic & Complicated, Relationships, Men & Women, Valentine's Day]
(from Hamlet, act 3, scene 1)

Oh! wanton youth, what hast thou done? To call thyself a lover now? That art false and void! Thou hast been false before, but never so. I will make thee perfect, even as thou wast divine. It shall be ever thus between us two. No other can we have. Let it last till death do us part. But if thou must be mine, let it be for this alone, To know myself thy perfect creature. Then shalt thou say of every one, "Lo! this is best."
<|endoftext|>
"To his Wife (1702)", by Sarah Orne Jewett [RelationsRunning command clear_context <function clear_context at 0x7fda92354e18>




And the black-eyed maidens' laughter,
Till the walls were hung with blossoms;
But the old man's heart was heavy.
"Ah," said he, "my son, my only one!
My only child, my pride and joy!"
Then his tears fell fast and heavy:
"O thou little maiden, O my daughter,
Why do thy cheeks so redly glow?
Why dost thou weep for me alone?
I am not here to see thee weep."
He took her hand in both of his own,
And thus she answered him tenderly:
"Thou art gone away from us long ago,
Long since I have known that thou wert dead.
If thou wilt be my father's friend,
Come unto me oft when morn is breaking,
When the early stars are peeping,
Bringing the honey-bee's nestling home,
That we may nurse it in our bosom,
Feed its young with love and tenderness."
Thus the old man spoke, and then he bowed,
And kissed her on her cheek and forehead,
On her lips he pressed his hands, and murmured:
"Let us go forth together, my dear,
To the forest's distant border,
There to seek a honey-tree."
So they went forth together homeward,
Through the fresh greenwood wandering slowly,
Listening as they passed along,
For the sweet birds sang gayly there,
In their hearts the music ran,
As they wandered through the woodland.
Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel,
Sang a song full happily,
While the bees hummed round them,
And the honey-birds chirped shrilly.
All the honey-trees he visited,
And the honey-buds he gathered,
From the honey-blossoms plucked by bees,
From the thickets where they singly dwelled.
Now the honey-tree had been seen,
By the black-eyed maiden met,
And the old man spake these measures:
"This is the best of all the trees,
Best of all my treasures, honey,
Sweetest of all my honey-things.
Here at this gate let me stand,
Here in this mighty bowery place,
And behold the tree of honey,
Where the queenly Honey-Queen smiles."
Straightway did Pohjola's old Mistress
Hasten hither, hasten henceaway,
Carrying a golden pitcher swiftly,
With an opening cover evernewer,
Full of sweet honey-water,
Dripping from the golden hoops therein,
Down upon the floor before them.
Spake the good Wainamoinen,
These the words of the magician:
"Away, ye bees, from the honey-bowl,
From the well, the golden water,
Leave the honey-pail here empty,
Leave the golden vessel standing,
Empty now, and useless forever!"
Quickly flew the golden bee-honey,
Like a shooting star across the sky,
Over the roofs and the thresholds,
Up through the cracks and crevices,
Filled the houses with fragrance,
Made the people faint with sweetness,
Breathed a languor into every frame,
Filled the very air with perfume.
Wainamoinen, wise and ancient,
Gazed upon the wondrous honey-thing,
Looked upon the pitcher filled with honey,
Turned his eyes toward the north-west,
Looking for signs of the moonlight,
Looking for signs of daybreak,
Found none, saw no sign of either.
Then he spake among the hostess,
These the words of the minstrel:
"What has happened to destroy the moonlight,
Make the east-wind cold and clammy,
Change the west-wind to a warm breeze?"
Lemminkainen gave this answer:
"It must surely be the bees
Who have spoiled the shining moonlight,
Stupid and blind, that wander about
Making honey all around us,
Pouring out their sweetness everywhere,
Polluting all the earth with honey,
Stealing from all the fields and forests,
From the meadows and the pastures,
From the cornfields and the valleys,
From the woodlands and the mountains,
From the dells and rocks and caverns,
From the fountains and springs,
From the brooks and rivers,
From the lakes and oceans,
From the sun and rainbow-colored waters,
From the flowers and grasses,
From the meads and fallows,
From the barns and stables,
From the kine and horses,
From the herdsman's barns and stalls,
From the swamps and lowlands,
From the meadow lands and pastures,
From the hillsides and highlands,
From the castles and strongholds,
From the battlements and watchtowers,
From the portals of the temples,
And from all the gates of battle,
From the palace walls and portals,
From the windows of the dwellings,
From the doors of the courts and chambers,
From the court-yard and the porch,
From the threshold and the arbour,
From the window-seats and casements,
From the eaves and topmost rafters,
From the roof-beams and sashes,
From the beams above ground and under,
From the poles of birch and oak-wood,
From the posts and crossbars,
From the roof-laths and nails,
From the joists and trusses,
From the flooring and the flooring-sheets,
From the floors below ground and above,
From the boards beneath ground and rafters,
From the roof-roofs and battlemental,
From the doorposts and the posts of fir-tree,
From the seats and benches,
From the tables and the dishes,
From the chairs and tables,
From the hearthstones and fireplaces,
From the chimneys and the chimney-pieces,
From the stove and the coal-place,
From the oven and the ashes,
From the hearthstone and the gratework,
From the hearthstones and the grate-plates,
From the chimney-blocks and blocks of iron,
From the stones of bluestone and of copper,
From the blocks of marble and of masonry,
From the tiles and the bricks of hardening,
From the tins and the pots and pails,
From the shovels and the axes,
From the skates and the hockey-sticks,
From the plowshares and the sickles,
From the reeds and the rushes,
From the furrows and the scythes,
From the hoes and the harrows,
From the knives and forks,
From the hooks and the cleavers,
From the shears and clippers,
From the shears and hatchets,
From the saws and the files,
From the drills and the drillskins,
From the wheels of sledges,
From the axles and axletrees."
Thereupon the magic ale-house
Opened wide its great doors of metal,
Shook the dust off with mighty rattle,
From the floor of the ale-house rose,
On the floor were seen the heroes,
In the doorway stood the hosts of heroes;
All were clad in silken garments,
All were decked with gold and silver,
With belts of copper and with tin,
With shoes of lambskin and leather,
With whips of wampum and with deer-skin,
With canes of ebony and ermine,
Cloak of ermine and of wool-like skin.
Now they gathered at Wainola
To the drinking of the South-Wind,
Drunken of the Northland of Pohya,
Of the kingdom of the Sky-swords.
Spake the minstrel, Lemminkainen:
"Let us drink and rejoice, O heroes,
While we may yet behold again
The lovely Moon of Love and Beauty,
When it shines upon our country,
As once it shone before us!"
Thus they drank and rejoiced together,
Drank until they felt as if intoxicated,
Till they heard the rustling of the pine-trees,
Came again to their pleasant dwelling,
Seized their foaming cups of barley,
Drank and feasted on the finest food,
On the best of the best of fish-fowl,
On the most tender venison,
On the largest whales' and goats'-fat.
Then arose a cloud of smoke,
Filled the house with odoriferous smog,
Made the people very sleepy,
Slept through the night without eating,
Woke up in the morning so foul
That not even one could muster,
Not even one among them knew what had happened,
Where they should look for the missing people,
How to find their vanished friends and relations.
Lemminkainen, old and faithful,
Heard the stir of the people's wondering,
Looked around him and inquired:
"Who are these that have risen?
What is their hurry and their commotion?"
These the words of Kaukomieli:
"I see no more my father,
No longer my mother's face,
Nor my brothers' arms about me,
Nor my sister's voice I hear,
Neither hear their voices calling me.
Have the dead risen from their tombs,
Or has some evil spirit come back,
And disturbed the sleep of the departed?
Has some god or demon stolen away
Our dear departed ones,
Obedient long ago to life and service,
And left us here to suffer torment?"
Answers Lemminkainen,
"This is the work of wicked witches,
Of the evil spirits of Pohyola,
Of the evil powers of Sariola,
For the destruction of the Northland,
For the ruin of the village,
Destruction of all things beautiful,
All that God created good for humans,
Mightier than earth or ocean,
Than the sun or moon or stars,
Greater than the clouds or thunder,
Greater than the winds or waters,
Greater than the sea monsters,
Than the wild beasts of forest,
Than the serpents of the mountains,
Than the giants of the prairies,
Than the giants of the desert,

Destroyers of the race of mortals,
Doomers of the tribes of Lapland,
Destroyers of the sons of heroes,
Killers of the ancient heroes,
Slayers of the chosen people,
Heralds of death and darkness,
Death-watchrs of the distant nations,
Guards of evil and misfortune,
Keepers of fast and ward against danger,
Breakers of hearts and bodies,
Bruisers of hands and feet,
Punishers of those who sinned against you,
Rulers over all the land of Northland,
Guardians of evil and misfortune,
Bringers of sickness and sorrow,
Deliverers of wretched beings,
Vengeance for wrong done by heroes,
Servitors of evil and misfortune,
Traitors of your fathers,
Servitors of your mothers,
Warriors of evil and misfortune."
Thereupon the hero, Lemminkainen,
Turned his attention to the northward,
Straightway turned his thoughts unto Kalevala,
Turned his thoughts toward his native fields,
Walked forward slowly, bowed low his head,
Stood erect and answered thus the minstrel:
"Never will I go further southward,
Willingly leave the realms of Louhi,
Leave her realm, the happy homestead,
Leave her children, the happy home,
Leaving behind the blessings of her,
Leaving behind the joys of her,
Leaving behind the beauty of her,
Like the snow-flakes falling from heaven,
Like the rainbow in the heavens;
Never will I leave this happy homestead,
Leave my children, leave my home,
Leave my wife and children smiling,
Leave them forever faring homeward,
Leave them singing evermore,
In the homes of strangers wandering,
Near the borders of the country."
Spake then the hostess of Pohyola,
These the words of Kalervo concerning him:
"Why art thou weeping, Lemminkainen,
Why is thy heart so heavy weighed down,
Why is thine eye clouded and troubled,
Why is there trouble in thine innards,
Why is thy foot unshod, O hero?
Come thou hither, thou hast need of healing,
Come hither, and I will give thee rest.
Let the cold water be brought hither,
Let the cold bath be prepared for thee,
Fill thy wounds with water well filled,
Give thy body warmth and comfort,
Bind thy wounds with warmest bandages,
Restore the warmth lost since last we met,
Make thine eyelids close again, O hero,
Close thine eyelids like before,
Freeze thy tears within thy bosom,
Do not let them roll upon the ground,
From the corners of thy mouth do not flow,
Do not let them fall upon thy pillow;
If thou dost not wash thyself thoroughly,
Wash thy hair without impediment,
Rinse well thy dirty linen twice,
Then shalt thou wash it thrice and seven times,
Thus shalt thou cleanse thy blood-stained fingers,
So shalt thou wipe thy tears and troubles;
Do not weep, nor speak a word of lamentation,
Do not moan in loud despair and sadness,
Do not wring thy hands together,
Do not make lamentation and wailings,
Do not curse the gods or heroes,
Do not ask the fire to burn thy dwelling,
To consume thy little one and thee.
When thou comest to the fireside,
When thou comest to the blazing woodlands,
Do not look around thee for the places,
Do not search about thee for the paths,
Nor inquire what path leads upward,
What direction leads downward to the marshes;
Do not look for any path or place,
Neither seek for any pathway,
But turn away thy thoughts toward the water,
As to some pleasant streamlet's side thou liest,
Or as a river's brink thou stoops to drink,
And the current flows beneath thee gently,
Ceaselessly flowing through the meadows,
Through the thickets, and among the trees."
Lemminkainen, young and reckless,
Heard these words of wisdom given him,
Heard what he had to do and how to proceed,
Heard that he should go to Kauko's kingdom,
Sought out the way to journey thither,
Took the shortest route to reach the village,
Found the path that led upward,
Found the most direct pathway downward.
Quickly passing onward,
On the opposite shore approaching,
Heard the rushing waters rolling,
Heard the foaming billows roaring,
Listened to hear the thundering billows,
Listening stood on the beach-shore,
Standing near the island's northern point,
Looked into the ocean's depth,
Looking inland viewed the islands,
Viewed the wide expanse of water,
Seemed to see the ends of the earth,
Thoughts of Ilmarinen's sister,
Of the maid, the daughter of the sea.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola,
She the fair and stately maiden,
Hastens forth to view the hero,
Hastens to behold the stranger,
Speaks these words to Lemminkainen:
"Wherefore art thou sorrowful, Lemminkainen,
Wherefore art thou sad and grieving,
That thou art going hence, departing,
Going from this thy fatherland?"
This is Lemminkainen's answer:
"I have heard tell of many a wondrous thing,
Many an ancient tale told me,
Of the magic islands of the sea,
How they rise above the deeps and waters,
How they are boundless, boundless expanses,
Who has seen their summits, who hath explored,
Has entered them, has penetrated them,
Who can know if all things exist,
Whether all things have a beginning,
Whether they have no beginning?"
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola,
Answers thus the wonder seeking:
"All things have a beginning, O hero,
All things have a beginning, O wizard,
The air is born of the Creator,
Is formed by his mighty power,
Born of his breath, and grows and develops,
In the womb of ether breathing,
In the womb of earth developing.
Therefore thou must believe the same,
Thou must believe the wondrous tales,
Hear the voices of the mountains,
See the skies grow luminous at evening,
At the setting sun become darkening,
Clouds arise from the ocean,
Falls the moon upon the ocean,
Winds blow leaves from the forest,
Fire burns the pine-tree branches,
Woodman builds his house of birch-wood,
Woman kneads her dough to bake her bread,
Man lives and moves about in towns,
Women bear children, men are growing,
Grow old, get sick, and die a deathful death.
Know then this truth, O my son,
Know the first cause of all events,
First cause of all created beings."
Spake the lively Lemminkainen,
These the words of Kaukomieli:
"Let us hasten forward, mother,
We shall soon arrive at the island,
There we will find the portals,
There discover the pass-ways,
Here we'll take our departure,
Bury our bodies here together,
Buried be our bones together,
Together bury us both,
Let the winds scatter us,
Send the rain upon us,
Blow the north-wind from the Northland,
From the land of Sariola."
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
He the handsome Kaukomieli,
With his hands extended stretched forth,
Knew the secret of the portals,
Knew the pass-ways well described,
Thus addressed the winds and waters:
"O thou wind, thou stormy one,
Whose voice I love to hear the most,
Come thou hither, come thou fastness,
Come thou where I call thee, swiftness,
Bring me speedily my vessel,
Speed my vessel swiftly o'er the waters,
That I may cross the raging
Waters of the broad, the turbulent,
Cross the waves upon its journey,
To the Island-dwellers dwelling,
Dwelling in Kalevala,
There to rest my weary limbs,
Rest my bones upon the waters,
Rise again upon the surface,
From the depths of waters,
From the bottomless abysses."
Straightway does the wind arise,
Comes the tempest with lightning,
Shakes the billows with his pinions,
Scattering foam and dust about him,
Hurling great rocks upon him,
Mountains against his forehead,
Helmet against his temples,
Strikes the boat with force of magic,
Breaks the vessel in fragments,
Splinters it on the billows,
Sinks the raft in the ocean,
On the waves sinks ship of heroes,
On the blue back of the ocean,
Tosses it far out upon the waters;
Lemminkainen, fearless bard,
Quickly rises upon the vessel,
Brings himself within the cabin,
Looks around him for the passage,
For the way leads onward, farther,
Through the misty and slippery pathways
Over matted forests, over marshes,
Over swamps and lowlands,
Over highlands and hills of snow-fields,
Over fields of thistle and rushes,
Over ditches full of water,
Over sand-hills covered over with ice-plants,
Over lowlands filled with reeds and rushes,
Over mountain-ranges, ranges, peaks,
Over plains of fir-trees tall and towering,
Over thickets of aspens and willows,
Over the lands of milk-white flowers,
Over the wide expanse of open country,
Over the plains of sugar-cane-flowers,
Over the hills of golden grain-fields,
Over the heaths of firs and aspen-groves,
Over the lands of honeyed pasture,
Over the plains of buttercups,
Over the wide expanse of pastures,
Over the vast and boundless ocean,
Over the seas that lie between Finland and Russia.
Now the aged Väinämöinen,
Virtuous hero, Kaukomieli,
Pondering long time, how he might escape from trouble,
How he might reach the distant shores of Lapland,
Miles away beyond the farthest horizon,
Where the stars shine brightly in the heavens,
And the moonlight glimmers through the clouds,
Near the borders of the broad sea,
Far beyond the limits of Pohja's kingdom,
Near the borders of the broad ocean,
In the realms of darkness and misfortune.
Then the aged Väinämöinen,
Thinking long, spoke these measures:
"I have crossed the mighty ocean,
Made my way beyond the boundaries,
Past the bounds of Pohjola's kingdom,
Across the borders of Lapland,
Through the woods, through the thickets,
By the margin of the ocean,
By the margin of the river,
By the firths of water flowing,
By the foaming whirlpool,
By the boiling torrent,
By the falls of mighty rivers,
By the ends of earth and oceans,
By the ends of heaven and ether.
"I have reached the borders,
Hastened onward still beyond them,
Whence the sound of battle,
Whence the clashing war-axes.
I have heard a shout of warriors,
Heard the clash of weapons,
Found the spears and shields of heroes,
Firmly grasped by men of fighting,
Gathered up by the people.
"Is there any man among you,
Any among all those heroes,
Who can point me out the path,
Lead me safely onward,
To the place where warriors,
Men of valor and prowess,
Are assembled?"
Spake the ancient Wainamoinen,
These the words of the minstrel:
"Here is a spot of marshland,
Open field and meadowland,
Green with grasses and flowers,
Full of birds' nests and blossoms,
Birds of every plumage,
All the summer feeding,
All the winter resting.
"This the spot of marshland,
Open field and meadowland,
Green with grasses and flowers,
Full of birds' nests and blossoms,
Birds of every plumage,
All the summer feeding,
All the winter resting.
"Here are ships well hidden,
Hidden in the marshland,
Built upon the open waters,
Underneath this floating island,
Underneath the floating forest,
That the winds may not shake them,
May not see them when they shake them,
Nor be seen by the heroes,
Not by the warring tribes of Northland.
There is a rock beneath them,
Stone of many colors,
Rocks of various sizes,
Many a hundred feet in length,
Of a thousand years old."
Wainamoinen, wise and ancient,
Answers thus the minstrel:
"Do not speak to me in falsehood,
Speak no more in jest and laughter,
Tell me true or false no longer,
If I may trust your word no longer."
Thus the ancient Wainamoinen
Strikes his lyre of magic,
Sends forth magical sounds throughout,
Making answer like the cuckoo,
Like the bluebird, Osmo,
Or the swallow, Ilmarinen.
From the sky appears the sun,
From the east the moon emerges,
From above the west the lightning,
Glancing on the lake below;
Comes the wind from the south-west,
Comes the north-east gale from the north-west,
Comes the south-west gale from the north-east,
Till the air is filled with wonder,
With astonishment fills the air.
Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel,
Looks around him for some sign,
Some token from the Creator,
For some sign of life and activity,
Finds none, nor other trace of living,
Only speaks these measures
On the threshold of the village:
"O thou youngest daughter of creation,
Mother of heroes and singers,
Make thyself visible to us,
Let us know if here thou liveest,
Whether here thou hast begotten,
Whether thou art growing or hast been born,
As a child thou lookest at us,
As a babe thou talkest with us.
"Come, fair one, come hither,
Lift thy head unto us,
Look upon our shoulders,
Look upon our arms and shoulders,
See thyself before thine eyes,
See thyself upon our bosom!"
Quick she came into being,
Into the light created,
From her mother's bosom taken,
From the misty cloud-comers,
And the sun was made aware,
And the moon was formed informed.
Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel,
Straightway goes to find the maiden,
Searching for truth and wisdom,
In the heavens above him,
In the clouds enveloped.
But he finds her nowhere,
Finding her nowhere near him.
Then he spake as follows:
"Wherefore comest thou hither?
Art thou not already established,
At thy side the sun and moon?
Thou dost not yet existence,
Neither dost thou yet appearliness,
Nor dost thou yet possess both,
That we should seek thee in the heavens,
And in the cloud-comers there.
"Therefore comest thou hither,
Thou comest not hither to create,
Or to bring forth children,
Or to give birth to anything;
Thou art too remote from us,
Too distant from thy birth-place,
Too far away to hear us,
Or to see us with our eyes.
"Come thou nearer, fairest maiden,
Close thy beautiful eyes upon mine,
Close thine eyelids like a dove's,
Loosen thy lids like an oyster,
And behold thyself once more,
Once again behold thyself,
When thou wert born a little infant,
Before thy mother's womb was opened.
"Listen now, my beloved, listen!
I will tell thee all my thoughts,
All the meaning of my speech;
I will tell thee all that thou canst desire,
What I have always longed for ever.
"First I would give thee wealth of silver,
Gold and gems untold to bestow,
To adorn thy cradle and thine altars,
Give to each an equal portion,
Give to all their just proportion,
Give to thee a share of beauty,
Silver and gold to make thee fairer,
Make thy brows and eyelids brighter,
Glow with the treasures of creation,
Make thy forehead like the morning star,
Brighten up thy form and features.
"Secondly, I would give thee pleasure,
Gladness and joyance in abundance,
Happy hours and days of plenty,
Longer days and nights unending,
Fairer than the brightest stars are,
More bright than the Sun himself is,
In the heaven of happiness.
"Thirdly, I would give thee rest and ease,
Hopes for future days and seasons,
Hope for joyous days to come,
Blessings and peace for ages,
Peace forever through the world,
Hope for years yet unborn,
Rest for youth and strength given over,
Joy for age and weakness,
Time to come to be fulfilled,
Time to come for evermore.
"This the sum of all my wishes,
Of this I ask thy helping powers."
Thus the virgin answered him,
Answers thus the minstrel:
"If thou wilt grant me these desires,
Grant me then the things I ask,
Give to me the blessings I crave,
Bring me now within reach of them,
I will gladly give them all."
Spake the hero Wainamoinen,
These the words of the singer:
"Take thou then the gifts I bring thee,
Take, O take the golden apples,
Golden rings and earrings also,
Take the jewels of the forest,
Golden goblets fill'd with honey,
Golden cups and goblets full of beer,
Fill the goblets well with water,
Water bring from springs abundant,
Fill with milk the goblet-fragments,
Fill the cup with honey sweetened,
Melt it down, and drink thou thereby,
Drink thou whole of the milk-drop wine,
Mix it well with the honey wine,
Sip it slowly, gently sip it,
Do not let it burn thy tongue,
Do not let its flavor stain thy palate;
Do not taste it too soon or late,
Let it steep in thy system,
Till the day thou thirsting feel it,
Till the day thou feed on it.
"Take thou then the flint-stone knives,
Sharpening stones of steel exceedingly,
Brushes of copper all wondrously wrought,
Knives of shining polish exceedingly,
Cutters' whetstones all exquisitely polished,
Paring knives of diamond-pointed blades,
Sticks of birch bark wonderfully worked,
Carvers' knives with ivory handles,
Dishcloths superbly woven together,
Woolen raiment, rich and rare,
Linens embroidered all of silver,
Silken garments splendidly girt about them,
Shoes of finest leather bound with ermine,
Bind them close around thy feet and ankles,
Bind them tight about thy body's waist and shoulders,
Bind them tightly round thy lovely form,
And above thy head securely fasten them."
Then the ancient Wainamoinen
Straightway hastened homeward,
On his journey to find his people,
Find the ancient line of heroes,
Find the noble race of Northland.
Thereupon he crossed the river,
Crossed the stream and onward went,
Through the woodlands swiftly traveling,
Steeply ascended the mountain,
Upward looked at its topmost height,
Looked upon its sides most majestic,
Saw the blue vault of Heaven open,
Saw the white clouds floating upward,
Saw the sun ascending, rising,
Saw the Moon descending, sinking,
Listened to the sound of waters,
Heard the rushing of the billows,
Heard the roar of ocean loud boisterous,
Heard the rush of many waters,
Heard the crashing of mountain-peaks,
Heard the thunder of falling mountains,
Heard the crash of mighty volcanoes,
Heard the creaking of earthquake-heights,
Heard the groan of earth's great inhabitants.
From his seat Wainamoinen
Looked around him, gazed long time,
Looking for signs of human beings,
Seeing none, he thought them lost forever,
Lost forever to his sight forever.
But alas! there came a rustling,
Came a whispering as of living creatures,
As of children playing near the shore,
Or the noise of waves upon the sea-shore.
Quickly he drew his sword of magic,
Swore aloud his oath of friendship,
Laid aside his warlike weapons,
All his battle gear relinquished,
For the sake of those fair maidens,
For the sake of Sariola's daughters.
They were the wives of ancient heroes,
Noble dames, of all the hostess-hosts,
Children of the Creator's handmaidens,
Mothers of the many heroes,
Bridegrooms of the immortal virgins,
Beautiful and faithful hosts assembled,
In their homes assembled, waiting
To hear what the wise Wainamoinen
Would say when first he met them.
When they heard that he had come,
Forth of their doors they hurriedly
Threw their mantle over them,
Clad themselves in linen robes,
With their hair untended,
Hair unbrushed, unbraided,
Rinsed and smoothed, and neatly combed,
Girdled with belts of sinews,
Binding their limbs in silken ribands,
And with shoes adorned.
Then they waited patiently,
Waiting until he should speak to them,
Until he should call them forth to meet him,
That they might learn his message.
Soon he spoke and thus began:
"Ye women of this village,
Women of this hamlet,
Listen to my speech clearly,
What I ask ye do agree to,
Obey and follow me gladly.
I am weary, worn out,
Have no strength nor courage,
Neither counsel nor warning,
Can but only wait and see how things turn out,
If indeed I shall return to Northland,
Whether I shall live or die an hour hence,
Whether I shall reach my home in Pohyola,
Whether I shall rest here to-day,
Or whether I shall perish ere long in the forest,
Where my friends are waiting to receive me.
Know ye also that the forest is full of dangers,
Full of pitfalls, thickets, brambles, thorns,
Is full of wolves, serpents, wild beasts,
Of the foulest description; therefore beware!"
Thus the ancient Wainamoinen
Spake among the women of the village,
This the substance of his saying:
"Do not think that I have come hither
Only to beg your kindness,
Notwithstanding my years of age,
Nor without sufficient wealth and treasures,
Nor without ample means of subsistence,
Nor without my trusty bow and arrows,
Though I am old and wearied sorely,
Though my days may be dark and gloomy,
Though my path be difficult and dreary,
Yet I will tell you something still more important,
Will tell you everything aright,
Whatever it may chance to occur.
Never was known in Northland hero,
Not among the sons of heroes,
Not among the best of men,
Such a wonder as I now bring thee,
Such a thing as this maiden,
Walking on her knees before me,
Shall become in future ages,
When she has grown into womanhood.
"Behold, O maiden, where I stand,
See, how beautiful she looks,
How like a young and slender virgin,
Like a blooming bride in beauty,
As thou wert in childhood born,
As thy mother once didst bear thee."
Thereupon the daughter of Wirokannas
Kindled against the north wind
Her head and neck and bosom,
Kissed the feet and hands of Lemminkainen,
And the virgin-daughter then departed
Through the open window of the cottage,
Left her garments on the flooring,
Leaving all her tresses hanging,
On the threshold of the doorway,
Behind her left shoulder leaning,
Till she reached the forest-depths,
Till she gained the wooded country,
To the borders of the farmstead,
To the broad road leading thence.
Here she paused a moment,
While she listened to the singing,
Listened to the merry fluting,
Singing so sweetly and beautifully,
That the very earth seemed full of joyance.
From the blue mountains far away,
From the snow-capped summits of Pohya,
Rose the voice of song and dancing,
Rose the music of the minstrels,
And the echoes of the singing,
Came upon the air a hundredfold.
Lemminkainen, much fatigued,
Heard the voices of the singers,
Heard the songs and voices,
Whose sound filled all the spacious Northland,
Whose echo filled the whole wide world.
Many a time did Lemminkainen,
Many a time turned from listening,
Turned his eyes away from singing,
Looked about him for some way of escape,
For some retreat from these enchantments,
Found none, and could not find one,
But remained forever in perplexity,
In a land of sorrow and anguish,
Long pondered at length and well considered,
How he might pass this evil punishment,
Find some protection in this distressful country,
Find some way to leave this dismal village,
Leave his people in such misery,
Make himself a refuge and haven there,
Secure himself from danger, harm, and misfortune.
Then he thought and reflected: "It would be best
If I were to build a vessel for sailing,
Some boat with sides made strong and tough,
With a keel of copper hammered,
And a hull of iron forged."
Now the reckless Kaukomieli,
Quickly drew together all his wealth,
All his store of weapons and provisions,
Bade his servants work upon them,
Forge a boat with sides of steel,
Hull of adamantine fashioned.
They began to hammer and shape it,
Firmly fastened together,
Made a boat with sides of iron,
Built upon a frame of oak-wood,
And they named her Mokka's ship.
Mokka, son of Beantries,
Built the ship upon a hillock,
Underneath the pine trees' shade,
And beneath the pine-trees' branches.
Straightway flew the winds to westward,
Flew the eastern gales to eastward,
Westward drove the southern breezes,
Eastward came the northern blasts,
Driven the western winds to southward,
Southward drove the southerlies,
Northward brought the northerlies,
Swept the waters eastward, northward,
Drave the waters over mountain,
Over all the plains and lowlands,
Pushed them under ground to sea-level,
Downward rushed the billows of water,
O'er the hills and valleys swelled them,
Rushed them o'er the mountains to sea-level,
Burst out upon the islands,
Flashed along the coasts of Lapland,
Rolled them down the rivers,
Streamed through all the highlands,
Through all the prairies and pastures,
Grew to ocean-levels,
Grew to heights never seen before,
Reached the lowest depths of ocean,
Drank the highest tides of ocean.
Then the reckless Lemminkainen
Spake these words in supplication:
"Ukko, thou O God above me,
Thou Creator of heaven and earth,
Help me, thou Lord of Heaven,
Grant that my bark may swim the seas,
May travel on the boundless oceans,
Travel across the mighty waters,
Swim the great deeps of ocean,
Where the sun in his course does journey,
Whence he rises again at evening,
Whence he sinks at morning; grant me
This, O Ukko, as a pledge of safety!"
Then the reckless Lemminkainen
Went to seek the help of heroes,
Seeking out the wise and experienced,
Who had long experience of life-guarding,
Of the dangers of the field and forest.
Thereupon he spoke the words which follow:
"Do ye know what waters are, O heroes,
What is the depth of each one of them?
Know ye also the depth of marshes,
Know ye also the depth of forests,
Know ye also the depth of fens and bogs?"
Thus he spake in supplication:
"Ukko, thou O God above us,
Thou Creator of the heavens and earth,
Guide us, thou guide us safely,
Let our ships sail on the ocean,
On the boundless waters,
To the shores of Sariola,
To the kingdom of Tuoni,
Safely to their homes return us;
Keep us from every peril,
Never let the waters cover us,
Never let the forests swallow us,
Nor the mires devour us,
Neither fire nor flood can harm us,
Nor the flames can burn us,
Nor can the fire-flies burn us,
Nor can the frost-bound waters,
Nor the whirlpools sink us,
Nor the ice-cold cataract can do us harm,
Nor the rocks can crush us,
Nor the rushing wave devour us."
Then the hero Lemminkainen
Answered in the words which follow:
"I will show thee wondrous depths of waters,
Will show thee realms of darkness,
Shall show thee regions without light,
Without warmth or moisture,
Shall show thee places of eternal winter,
Where the snow lies deep and hard as iron,
Where the frozen streams flow swiftly,
Where the torrents roar loudly,
Where the tempest raves wildly,
Where the clouds are flying fiercely,
Where the lightning flashes wildly,
In the deeps of ocean,
In the lakes and rivers,
Comes the storm-wind wildly,
Sends the whirlwind onward,
Blows the dust afar off rapidly,
As if the world was rolling thunderously,
Or the air was filled with tumultuous waves,
Or the earth were rolling ocean-wise,
Or the sky were rent apart,
With the sound of thunder,
With the crash of falling mountains.
"Know ye also the depths of marshes,
Know ye also the depths of forests,
Know ye also the depths of fens and bogs?
"Know ye also the depth of pools,
Know ye also the depth of brooks and rivers?
"Know ye also the depth of lakes and rivers,
Know ye also the depths of all the lakes and rivers?
"Know ye likewise the depth of fountains,
Know ye also the depth of springs and wells?
"Know ye also the depth of caverns,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of mines,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons,
That the wild beasts cannot enter therein,
The birds cannot pass therefrom,
And the evil spirits cannot find it,
Neither can the fire penetrate it,
Nor the water seep forth thence,
Nor the poisonous serpents destroy it,
Nor the worms infest it,
Nor the wolves ravage it,
Nor the bears tear it,
Nor the fierce dogs tear it,
Neither can the lions tear it,
Nor the bears devour it,
Nor the wolf devour it,
Nor the bear devour it.
"Know ye also the depth of castles,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons,
Know ye also the depth of towers and pyramids?
"Know ye also the depth of tombs,
Know ye also the depth of graveyards?
"Know ye also the depth of forests,
Know ye also the depth of mountain passes,
Where the reindeer may not pass it,
Nor the foxes' track may find it,
Nor the snakes' poison-laden footsteps,
Nor the bears' tracks in danger,
Nor the wolves' tracks in danger,
Nor the panther's tracks in danger,
Nor the eagle's flight through danger,
Nor the eagle's piercing flight through danger,
Nor the eagle's claws in danger,
Nor the eagle's talons in danger,
Nor the eagle's wings in danger,
Nor the eagle's pinions in danger,
Nor the eagle's head in danger,
Nor the eagle's beak in danger,
Nor the eagle's claws in danger,
Nor the eagle's teeth in danger,
Nor the eagle's feet in danger,
Not the eagle's claws in danger,
Nor the eagle's beak in danger,
Nor the eagle's talons in danger,
Nor the eagle's feathers in danger,
Nor the eagle's body in danger,
Nor the eagle's nest in danger,
Nor the eagle's young in danger,
Nor the eagle's eggs in danger,
Nor the eagle's brood in danger,
Nor the eagle's mother in danger,
Nor the eagle's father in danger,
Neither is the eagle strong nor brave,
Nor its nest secure from danger,
Nor the eagle cunning, nor its mother,
Nor the eagle's nest secure from danger,
Nor the eagle cunning, neither is her mother,
Nor the eagle's nest secure from danger.
"Know ye also the depths of marshes,
Know ye also the depths of forests,
Know ye also the depths of fens and bogs?
"Know ye also the depth of pools,
Know ye also the depth of brooks and rivers?
"Know ye also the depth of lakes and rivers,
Know ye also the depth of all the lakes and rivers?
"Know ye also the depth of fountains,
Know ye also the depth of springs and wells?
"Know ye also the depth of caverns,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of mines,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of dungeons,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of tombs,
Know ye also the depth of graveyards?
"Know ye also the depth of towers and pyramids,
Know ye also the depth of all the pyramids?
"Know ye also the depth of castles,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of tombs,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?
"Know ye also the depth of castles,
Know ye also the depth of dungeons?"
Then the lively Lemminkainen
Answered in the words which follow:
"O thou ancient Wainamoinen,
Thou wise and trustworthy enchanter,
Tell me now the depth of waters,
Of all the depths of waters,
In this vast country wide-extended,
All these thousand years have I been living,
Have I entered here no hundred times?
"Do not know ye the depths of waters,
Do not know ye the depths of waters,
Only the surface of the waters,
Only the lowest of them,
Sinks the great ship in Pohyola,
On the bottom of the deep-sea,
Never a word has ever come out,
Ever a single word from me.
"Now the sun is sinking fast,
Now the day is breaking brightly,
But my mind is still thinking,
Still pondering on the depths of waters,
Deeply thinking on the depths of waters,
Wondering if they are deeper or nearer,
If they are higher or lower than those,
If it is possible to reach them,
Or to cross them at all;
"Should a man enter them, he would sink
Like a little bubble that sinks into sea;
And should a boat approach them, it would break
Asunder like a twig when struck by lightning.
"Therefore do I ask thee, O ancient one,
What the deepest of waters is,
That the waters may be crossed without difficulty,
And may be reached without trouble."
From his forehead rose the Sun,
Rose up, and reflected lightnings,
Shook off the clouds asunder,
Made the ocean roar with thunder,
Tossed the billows hither, thither,
Rushed upon the islands,
To the Northland's distant villages,
Came again to rest upon the mountains,
There to remain for many days,
Longer perhaps than summer evenings,
And longer perhaps than winter mornings.
Spake the ancient Wainamoinen:
"This the deepest of waters,
That the waters may be crossed without difficulty,
And may be reached without trouble:
Downward there flows a river,
Goes the mighty Kalevala,
Through the fields and through the woodlands,
Over fields and over forest,
Over hills and over valleys,
Over sandy beaches and marshlands,
Underneath bridges of stone arched o'er water,
Where the people go to fish or pass the time,
In the evening or morning,
When the red leaves fall in autumn,
And beneath the willow-branch is spread the grass."
Thus the youthful hero answered,
Thus did Lemminkainen answer:
"I have heard it said that thou hast crossed
The deepest of waters,
And have entered the deepest of waters,
That thou mayest cross the waters easily,
For a boat can carry but so much,
While a raft can carry nothing."
Spake the ancient Wainamoinen:
"Canst thou then cross the waters easily,
With a boat or raft at all?
Not a boat can cross them easily,
Nor a raft can cross them easily,
Even when rowed by an experienced seaman,
Who knows how to steer and keep the vessel
Safe along the passage safely,
By the stern to guide her safely,
By the bow to steer her safely,
And the stern to keep safe from danger,
And the bow to keep safe from danger,
Even when rowed by an experienced seaman,
Who knows how to steer and keep the vessel
Safe along the passage safely,
By the stern to guide her safely,
By the bow to steer her safely,
And the stern to keep safe from danger,
Even when rowed by an experienced seaman,
Who knows how to steer and keep the vessel
Safe along the passage safely."
Lemminkainen gave this answer:
"I shall never attempt it,
Neither shall any other man,
Though he row with skill and speed,
And he keeps the vessel well-wayed,
And he guides it safely onward,
Safe along the passage safely,
Safe along the passage safely."
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
He the handsome Kaukomieli,
Reached the lowest deep of waters,
Strode forward on his journey,
Swam across the raging whirlpool,
Across the roaring waters,
To the island's farthest bounds,
To the land of strangers called,
To the distant homes of strangers.
Straightway then did Lemminkainen
Take the rudder firmly in hand,
Hooked his line within its socket,
Set the sail upon the vessel,
Raised the mast upon the vessel,
Steered along the rushing streamlet,
O'er the current's rapid course,
O'er the rolling waters swiftly,
To the island's farthest bounds,
To the distant homes of strangers,
To the lands beyond the storm-clouds.
At the home of strangers, Lemminkainen,
Found the house deserted,
Found no one living in the dwelling,
No one there was playing at fiddle,
On the threshold or within doors.
Quickly then he drew his sword,
Grasped his broadsword tightly in both hands,
Sang these words in anguished accents:
"Is there none here left alive,
That has been born in years of evil,
That has lived in poverty and distress,
That is now lying dead and mouldering?"
Many there were scattered about him,
All the children of Misery,
Dead and mouldering bodies lying,
Withering away in darkness,
Like the smoke of funeral pyres.
But the lively Lemminkainen,
Determined to leave them not,
Cut the throats of many corpses,
Slaughtered many wolves and bears,
Brought their little children after them,
Bringing their little children after them,
Fled before the snow-storm,
Before the tempest's fury,
Left behind the houses,
Left behind the dwellings,
As the wind blew against them;
Soon they vanished out of sight,
Plowed through the field and meadow,
Plowed through the meadows wide and level,
Pushed their way into the city,
Hurried through the streets and alleys,
Till they came to Pohyola's castle,
There to find the master, Louhi.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola,
Thought she had lost her host and guest,
Had no one to tend her household,
Had no one to look after her,
Did not know where she could turn for help,
Could not see what might become of her,
Would not hear what she had to say.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola,
Sat down weeping and lamenting,
Wept as though her heart would burst within her,
Wept like a woman in sorrow,
Long since she had forgotten her husband,
Lost her only son, Ilmarinen.
Now she sat alone within her chambers,
She who had once been happy and free,
Hung over her grief and anguish,
Wept and moaned as thus she lamented:
"Wherefore has my son departed,
Why has my only son departed?
When will he return again,
Will he soon come back to me?
Nevermore will I see him,
In the days that are lasting,
Nevermore will I see him,
If I do not give him something,
Give him food and sheltering."
Hereupon the daughter of Northland
Spoke aloud and said among the women:
"Cease your weeping, O ye sisters,
Let us all sit together,
Listen to what my mother has to tell us,
Tell me the reason why my son has gone
Far away into the country of Wabasso,
Has changed his form and taken another,
With a different name and face now standing
Near the firesides of the Northland,
Near the fireside of his father's mansion,
Not far from his own homestead."
These the words of wicked Sariola:
"Do not weep, dear daughters of Pohya,
Do not grieve for me, thou art not worthy,
For thy tears are but foolishness,
They bring no comfort to my mind,
They can but beget trouble for thee.
Have you not heard how the great Creator,
The eternal Wainamoinen,
Lays up treasure in the heavens,
Treasures innumerable,
Gems that cannot perish,
Gold and silver and gems of every value,
Memento of those who live forever,
Of the good and bad alike,
Everlasting charms of every kind?
From this day onward let it never
Be possible for any hero,
Or the sons of noble families,
To win riches by thieving deeds,
By the sweat of virtue's brows.
Thus the ancient Wainamoinen
Strictly forbids the stealing
Of his rich treasures by heroes,
And by the sons of noble families.
This is the law of the Golden Cloud,
And of all the hosts of heavenliness,
Of the everlasting stars and mistletoe,
Of the ever-living God of Mercy,
Who protects the wealth of mortals,
Protects the gold and silver of Wainola,
And of all the people of the Northland!"
Then the aged Vaeinaemoeinen
Answered in the words which follow:
"I have heard the story well,
Hearken to what thy sire has told thee,
What my father taught thee long ago,
How the fair Kaukomieli
Rode to Pohyola's distant castles,
Was received with honor at its portals,
At the feet of its old Mistress,
And was welcomed home with gladness.
Kaukomieli, son of hostess,
He the handsome Kaukomieli,
Once upon a time went wandering
Through the darksome marshes,
On the borders of Pohyola,
Sariola's gloomy regions,
There to seek for some magic
Ore of greatest worth,
Some richest substance,
Found in the depths of ocean,
Hidden in the fens and forests,
In the thickets of the forest,
In the evergreen trees of Northland,
Seeking for these many years,
Hunting ever, searching,
But without success finding,
Only on one occasion
Finding of a piece of gold,
That the aged Vaeinaemoeinen
Had found a little golden ore,
Only found a very small portion
Of an exceedingly rare metal;
Fearing lest the evil serpent,
Which had stolen the precious ore,
Should destroy the land and kindred,
Destroy the dwellings of men,
Kill the children and kinsfolk,
Lay them low in death and destruction,
As a paltry thing to slay and destroy.
Vaeinaemoeinen, old and steadfast,
Took the little ore home with him,
Brought it to his dwelling-place,
To his wife and children waiting,
To his aged parents three,
To his brothers five,
To his sister seven,
To the aged Väinämöinen,
To his brother-in-law,
To his daughter-in-law,
To his nephew,
To the son of his servant,
To his faithful servant,
To his faithful servant's child.
All were filled with wonderment,
All were greatly delighted,
All were much pleased and delighted,
When they heard the news concerning
The find of the tiny ore,
Golden, copper, tin, and lead,
And their lord's son-in-law,
Vaeinaemoeinen.
Said the aged Vaeinaemoeinen,
These the words that he uttered:
"O thou blacksmith, Ilmarinen,
Thou the wondrous smith, the eternal,
Forge me now a sword as mighty,
As strong as steel is able,
As deadly as a weapon,
Fit for the service of my master,
For the service of my leader,
For the work of my hands and wisdom,
That I may guard both mine and others,
Guard the lives of all the people,
Guard the homes of all the women,
Guard the cattle of all the Northland,
Guard the sheep of all the country,
Guard the swine of all the Southland,
Guard the horses of the pastures,
Guard the herds of all the settlements,
Guard the flocks of all the villages,
Guard the herds of all the courts,
Guard the cattle of all the cities,
Guard the horses of all the highways,
Guard the flocks of all the farms,
Guard the flocks of all the pastures,
Guard the herds of all the settlements,
Guard the cattle of all the cities,
Guard the horses of all the highways,
Guard the flocks of all the courts,
Guard the herds of all the villages,
Guard the herds of all the court-yards,
Guard the flocks of all the courts,
Guard the herds of all the country,
Like the sun, like fire, like water,
Like the moonlight, like morning,
Like the evening, like evening,
Like the stormy weather,
Like the wind, like rain, like snow-flakes."
Spake the blacksmith, Ilmarinen,
These the words the artist uttered:
"Never shall I forge you then
A sword as mighty, as strong,
As deadly as a weapon,
Fit for the service of my master,
For the service of my leader,
For the work of my hands and wisdom,
That I may guard both mine and others,
Guard the lives of all the people,
Guard the homes of all the women,
Guard the cattle of all the Northland,
Guard the sheep of all the country,
Guard the swine of all the Southland,
Guard the horses of the pastures,
Guard the herds of all the settlements,
Guard the cattle of all the cities,
Guard the horses of all the highways,
Guard the flocks of all the farms,
Guard the flocks of all the pastures,
Guard the herds of all the courts,
Guard the cattle of all the cities,
Guard the horses of all the highways,
Guard the flocks of all the courthouses,
Guard the flocks of all the pastures,
Like the sun, like fire, like water,
Like the moonlight, like morning,
Like the evening, like evening,
Like the stormy weather,
Like the wind, like rain, like snow-flakes."
Then did Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,
He the great primeval minstrel,
Answer thus the blacksmith, Ilmarinen:
"I will forge thee then a sword as mighty,
As strong as steel is capable,
As deadly as a weapon,
Fit for the service of thy leader,
For the service of thy master,
For the work of thy hands and wisdom,
That I may guard both mine and others,
Guard the lives of all the people,
Guard the homes of all the women,
Guard the cattle of all the Northland,
Guard the sheep of all the country,
Guard the swine of all the Southland,
Guard the horses of the pastures,
Guard the herds of all the settlements,
Guard the cattle of all the cities,
Guard the horses of all the highways,
Guard the flocks of all the courts,
Guard the flocks of all the courts,
Like the sun, like fire, like water,
Like the moonlight, like morning,
Like the evening, like evening,
Like the stormy weather,
Like the wind, like rain, like snow-flakes."
Thereupon smith Ilmarinen
Forth from his shop went swiftly,
To the forge he hastened,
In the furnace forged him
Sword of gold and silver,
Swords of iron tempered,
Hammers of gold and silver,
Buts in shining brass and copper,
Hammers in gold and silver,
Withal a knife of copper.
Thus was born the sword of wonder
Of the hero, Ilmarinen;
And its edge gleamed like sunlight,
Like the light of daybreak,
Like the glory of heaven's rising.
Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,
The eternal metal-artist,
From his hand withdrew the sword,
And the blade looked like the moonlight,
Like the splendor of the dawning.
Ilmarinen, skilled in magic,
Wrought the hilts of gold and silver,
And the blades were made of iron,
And the handles of copper.
Now the sword was ready for use,
Ready for the hand to grasp it,
Ready for the stroke to strike it,
When the blacksmith, Ilmarinen,
Called the blade into play.
Straightway he drew the sword forward,
Sang aloud the battle-song,
Struck the blade with all his might,
On the rock the weapon
Made a deep impression,
Made an indentation large enough
For the thumb of a single man,
Or for two at least, three or four,
If they would wield it well.
Quickly now the youth arose,
Leapt upon the sword's handle,
Grasped it firmly, and began
To apply himself to hammering,
While the keen edge flashed before him,
Flashed before him like the lightning,
Showed the point on the mountain,
On the forest-tops the hilt,
On the rocks the pommel,
And the sheath was seen afar off.
Spake the ancient Wainamoinen:
"O thou young and reckless hero,
Do not think that thou art invincible,
Not a hair canst touch thine head,
Thou wert but a little child when first
Thou gavest thy life to me;
Never have I known the strength of heroes,
Have not heard of any who could slay one
Who had been long nurtured in childhood,
Nor the skill of enchanters,
Though their spells are evermore successful
Against the children of the magician.
Know, O Wainamoinen,
Know the power of this magic,
This wondrous sword of magic!"
Then the youthful Wainamoinen
Gave this answer to the minstrel:
"Let us try our swordsmanship,
If my father's sword be stronger,
Or my brother's weaker."
Then he took the mighty sword,
Took the sharp blade of magic,
And he tested each blow by it,
Each thrust and cut with it,
And the youth proved him much superior,
Laid his palm against the hilt,
And his fingers pressed against the blade.
Wainamoinen, wise and ancient,
Answered thus the blacksmith:
"Neither my brother's blade nor mine
Can withstand the force of thy sword,
Nor can withstand the force of mine.
Only thyself can stand against it,
Only thyself can fight with it,
And the victor shall be thee,
And the vanquished shall be thy brother."
Then the aged Wainamoinen
Bent his bow against the hero,
Mouth towards the enemy,
Armed himself with arrow-shaft,
Drew the string, and released
His deadly arrow,
Shot it full at the throat of Väinämöinen,
At the heart of the hostess of Pohya,
At the neck of great Lemminkainen.
Pierced through the garment of the hostess,
Through the linen sheathing,
Broke the neck of the hostess,
Breasted her ribs asunder,
Dragged her lifeless body.
Then the hero, Ilmarinen,
He the great primeval minstrel,
He the eternal metal-worker,
Clad himself in arms of steel,
Gloves of flame about his hands,
Helmet and shield constructed,
And he rushed upon the maiden,
Hurled himself upon the bridegroom,
Hurled himself upon the bride,
And he spoke the words which follow:
"I will kill thee, thou wicked witch,
Kill thee, thou evil hostess,
As thou didst kill my mother,
And thy sire didst slay my sister,
Killed my father, too, with violence!
Come thou forth from out the house,
Leave thy husband, leave thy son!"
Thereupon the hostess' ghost,
That is called Tuoni's daughter,
Hastened from the house of death,
Forth from the mansion of Tuonela,
Into the broad highway,
Where the stumps are growing thickest,
In the woodlands near the ocean,
Where the birch-tree grows most luxuriant,
By the side of the cold-sea streamlet.
But the bloodless bones she found there,
Bloodless and withered knees and shoulders,
Bloodless arms and hands and feet,
All were left of the dead woman.
Thus the bloodless bones were scattered,
Left by the way-side grasses,
Left by the path where she had fallen,
Like the leaves when autumn winds are sweeping.
Ilmarinen, smith of iron,
With his mighty axe of copper,
Smote the air above the grave-stone,
From the ground struck the earth beneath it,
Broke the stone to pieces,
Break apart the granite boulders,
All the stones of bluestone size,
Of the hardest, hardest character,
All the stones of medium hardness,
Cuts them into fragments,
Sets them in order here and there,
Strips them into rings and spears,
Speaks these measures as he strips them:
"Now the stones of hard character,
These the stones of brightest beauty,
These the stones for weapons made of iron,
For the heads of warlike people;
Here is good for nothing else,
To be used only for battle,
To be thrown into the water,
To be cast into the fire-stream,
To be hurled into the cataract,
To be driven into rockfalls,
To be broken by the engines,
To be cleft in twain by axes,
To be split in many pieces,
To be mended by hinges,
To be rent in many pieces,
Rent and resold for money,
Used as building materials,
Made into tools of labor,
For the hands of artisans."
Spake again the bloodless maiden:
"Is my head now soiled with dirt?
Has my hair turned gray with rustling?
Will I live or not again?"
Spake the handsome Ilmarinen,
The eternal metal-worker:
"Thou shalt live and flourish,
Spring and grow once more in beauty,
When the dust has changed its color,
When the ashes have a golden tinge,
When the blood has lost its crimson,
When the flesh is white like milk-white."
Thereupon the bloodless maiden
Straightway hastens to depart,
Quickly hurries on her journey,
Leaves her husband, leaves her home,
Fleetly flees from her kindred,
Fleetly flees from the land of strangers,
Fleetly flees from the fields of heroes.
On the shore she stands and looks around her,
Looks in every direction,
Seeks for protection from the Northland,
Seeks for help from the Southland,
Seeks for succor from the Westland,
Seeks for aid from the Eastland,
Sees a boat approaching,
See'st the boat of Pohyola,
Lifts her eyes, and sees a vessel,
Listens well, and hears a sound of singing.
Quick she takes up the rudder firmly,
Takes the oars in both hands,
Swims across the billows lightly,
Flies toward the island of Wainola,
To the grove of Sariola.
Louhi, hostess of the Northland,
Daughter of Tuonetar,
Gave this answer to the question:
"Who is coming hither, O Louhi,
Coming to our borders, Louhi,
Coming to our distant homes?"
This is what the ancient Louhi answered:
"Let us see who comes here first,
Who is coming hither, O Louhi,
Coming to our distant homes?"
This is what the ancient Louhi answered:
"Take heed that ye do not answer,
Do not tell who comes hither,
Come not to our distant homes."
Then the bloodless virgin, Louhi,
Answers thus the hostess of Pohya:
"I am come to seek protection,
Help, for my life is perilous,
Wandering through the wilderness,
Hunting wild game unharmed among men."
Then the bloodless virgin, Louhi,
Answered in the words which follow:
"I will give thee wealth and honor,
Give thou gold and silver, food and shelter,
If thou wilt save me from danger,
Safe return to thy homestead,
Safe return to thine own country,
In the kingdom of the Northland,
Where the people are purest, fairest,
And the women are fairest of all."
Spake the hostess of Pohyola:
"May the gods protect thee, Louhi!
Never may'st thou harm my people,
Nor their children harm, nor wrong them,
As thou givest food and clothing,
Or dost not give them sheltering,
As thou givest gold and silver,
Food and raiment to those that need them.
May the gods guard thee, Louhi!"
Thus the mother spake in sorrow,
These the words of Louhi, hostess:
"O thou daughter of Pajunen,
Handsome son of Kaino,
Beauteous daughter of Tapio,
Fairest daughter of Pimentola,
Bring me honey, bring me beer,
Beer brewed from barley, honey,
From the trees of three kinds,
From the pine-tree thickets,
From the vineyards of Manala,
That I drink it freely,
Drink it down in joyance,
With the pleasure of heart-contentment."
Spake the hostess of Pohyola:
"Not the smallest portion
Of the honey I'll give thee,
Not a drop of beer I'll give thee,
But the best of honey,
Brewed from the sweetest flowers,
Brewed from the bloom of Morning,
Brewed from the fragrance of Evening;
That thou may'st know how much I value it,
That thou may'st love thy neighbor,
Love thy neighbor still better,
If thou keep these things from him,
Keep from thyself the evil drinking,
Drinking to excess, and sinning,
For the sake of others' goodness,
For the sake of any one else."
Then the daughter of Northland,
Ancient bard, the mighty Lemminkainen,
He the great primeval minstrel,
He the hero, Kaukomieli,
Called his brother, Lemminkainen,
To his assistance, asked him:
"What shall we do, my dear brother,
What shall we do to please the maidens,
How can we make merry with the maidens?
Can we sing or chant as heroes,
Sing as minstrels, or play the guitar?
Is there anything in Pohyola,
Any thing in Kalevala,
That would suit our needs better?"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Well versed in magic songs and legends,
Said the words which follow:
"There is nothing in Pohyola,
In the village of the Northland,
That would suit our needs better,
Nothing but empty promises,
Nothing but idle chatter,
Only empty names and phrases.
Maidens shall be glad if they hear
Music and song from strangers,
Shall be happy if they see heroes,
See heroes in arms and armor.
All the world will then be at peace,
And no more war and bloodshed."
Then he sang the following psalm,
Sang a song of equal measure,
Which the aged Vaeinaemoeinen
Ere long would lead his people
Through the forest-covered highways,
On the road to Sariola.
Lemminkainen's sister, hostess,
Vaeinaemoeinen's wife,
She, the fair one from Kalew,
She the maiden with the golden tresses,
Poured the beer into cups,
Took the glasses from the tables,
Brought the cups unto the windows,
Set upon the casks the kegs,
Gave the kegs to her servants,
Gave the servants cups of copper,
Gave them cups of silver adorned,
Dressed themselves in garments fine,
Put on their silken robes of ermine,
Clothed themselves in linen clothes,
Thoughtfully prepared for dancing,
While the ale was foaming,
While the beer was bubbling.
When the ale had cooled down,
When the beer had ceased flowing,
Louhi gave orders to her servants,
This the order of Vaeinaemoeinen:
"Let us go to view the guests arriving,
Listen to what the strangers say,
Listen to what the strangers sing,
Who have come to see us coming,
Coming to Pohyola,
Here to see the hosts assembled."
Vaeinaemoeinen, old and steadfast,
Answered in the words which follow:
"I will tell you who has come,
Tell you who has come to me,
Who has come to see me rejoicing,
Who has come to see the guests assembled,
Who are all the friends of Pohya,
Comely guests of Pohyola."
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
The magician, Vaeinaemoeinen,
Turned about his head and answered:
"Who hath brought the stranger,
Bringing hither the stranger,
To behold this host of Finland,
To listen to this guest-introduction,
To hear the speech of welcome,
Speaking thus to strangers,
Speaking thus to guests assembled?"
Vaeinaemoeinen, old and steadfast,
Answered in the words which follow:
"Nay, thou art not a stranger,
Thou art a friend of Pohyola,
Thou hast been here before me,
Longer than many days ago,
Many days and weeks ago."
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made reply in words like these:
"Wherefore dost thou bring me hither,
Why dost thou bring me hither,
From the place where I am residing,
From my country, O thou stranger,
O thou one from afar-off countries?
No man speaks the words that follow:
'Lo! this son of mine, this heir of thine,
Hath a tongue far greater than thine own.'"
Vaeinaemoeinen, old and steadfast,
Answered in the words which follow:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"If thou wilt not give me leave,
Give me leave to speak my thought freely,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Vaeinaemoeinen, old and steadfast,
Answered in the words which follow:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"If thou wilt not give me leave,
Give me leave to speak my thought freely,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"If thou wilt not give me leave,
Give me leave to speak my thought freely,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
And again he spake as follows:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Spake the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
Spake the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, made answer,
Made answer in words like these:
"I know thy tongue well indeed, O thou,
Know the words thou speakest clearly,
Speak the words that follow, O thou,
Speak the words that follow this,
With thine own mouth, O thou tongueless one!"
All the hostess's maidens answered,
That they knew his language, O thou,
Knowing his speech by heart and by tongue.
But the lively Lemminkainen,
Son of Kaikki, did not understand
What was said by the hostess's daughter;
Did not understand what she had said,
Nor understood another thing.
When he heard her speaking, then, Kaukomieli,
Heard not what the maiden had spoken,
Only knew that it was night-time,
Night-time for dancing on the island,
On the isle of Pohyola.
Thus the lively Lemminkainen
Knew not what it meant to dance,
Danced without knowing why or wherefore,
For the sake of dancing on the island,
On the isle of Pohyola.
Thereupon young Lemminkainen,
Went to seek his mother's cattle,
Came to find his father's herd of reindeer,
To find his herd of cows and sheep.
Quickly he hastened homeward, weary,
Forth from Pohyola to journey,
From the island of Tuonela,
From the dismal Sariola.
Lemminkainen, tired and wretched,
Strode a little way before him,
Till he reached the distant wooded area,
Found the forest all around him,
In the distance standing far away,
Near the forest stood the village,
Where the women were gathered together,
Where the men were singing and laughing,
Listening to their merry music.
Here he found his mother's herd of reindeer,
His father's herd of cows and sheep.
Louhi, hostess of Pimentola,
Hastened forth to see the stranger,
Looked upon the herdsman with wonder,
Saw the son of Kaleva standing,
Saw the handsome Kaukomieli,
Standing near the herd of reindeer,
Watching them closely from afar.
Lemminkainen, youthful hero,
Handsome hero, Kaukomieli,
Took the reins in both hands full firmly,
O'er the neck of each cow and hind,
Over the shoulders of the oxen,
As he came onward homewards, swiftly,
Toward his home and kindred.
This the manner of Lemminkainen:
Straightway he took his seat at table,
Raised his knife and cut the throat
Of the best of the herd of reindeer,
Cut the neck of the largest animal,
Of the steer so fat and beautiful,
And the head rolled backward dismally,
Downward rolled the head of the steer,
As he lay stretched out flat on the snow-sledge,
Head downward rolling down the sledge.
Lemminkainen, youthful hero,
Turned his head as he saw the steer,
Turned his eyes toward the west-wind,
Turned his nose upward, as he ate,
Drank deeply, and filled his glassful;
Gazed awhile at the stewed flesh,
While he drank the wine of magic,
Baked some bread and baked the other,
Eating while he listened to the shepherd,
Who sang the songs of ancient heroes.
Later grew the morning sunshine,
Later rose the sun in glory,
Later grew the evening darkness,
Later still the morn arose,
Later still the sun departed,
Later still the moon was rising,
And the stars appeared in heaven,
Shining brightly in the heavens,
Through the thick branches overhead.
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Young and reckless, wild and daring,
Left the sledge, left the hoofs unshod,
Leaving them in the open air,
Far away beyond the horizon,
Far away beyond the bounding roe.
Soon he turned his eyes toward the east-wind,
Looking eagerly forward,
Still forward, still looking forward,
Till he saw the land of Pohya
From the north-west stretching far away,
Spreading farther and farther northward,
Till it touched the farthest bounds of Northland.
Then he looked again toward the west-wind,
Looked eagerly forward,
Still forward, still looking forward,
Till he saw the land of Louhi,
From the south-east stretching far away,
Spread farther and farther southward,
Till it touched the borders of Lapland,
And the coldest part of Pohyola.
Then he looked again toward the east-wind,
Looking anxiously forward,
"Is there any one here?" asked Lemminkainen,
"Is there any one hither? Is this dead man,
That I have killed by mistake,
That I have slain in foul disgrace,
By my folly killed in fight,
With the reindeer of evil magic,
With the best of the herd of reindeer?"
Then he spoke aloud the words which follow:
"I will slay thee, thou wicked witch,
If thou dost not tell me who thou art."
This the answer of the witch-queen,
These the words that she uttered:
"Thou knowest who I am, thou minstrel!
Knowest also what I do, thy brother!
Now is thy time for playing, O thou
That hast lived in peace and plenty,
Ever in safety, ever happy,
Never suffering harm or sorrow,
For thy life has been long and happy,
Since thy mother brought thee into being,
Bringing thee into the world with pleasure,
When thy mother bore thee unto her husband,
To be born in a goodly place,
To live in a pleasant country,
On the borders of a broad river,
There among the lakes of Lapland.
But alas, alas, my days are coming,
My days are quickly approaching,
When I shall die, and leave behind me
No more children, nor descendants,
None to take care of my deathless corpse!"
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Young and reckless, wild and daring,
Knew he had killed his brother,
Therefore he cursed him thus and shouted:
"Cursed be thou, thou evil witch,
In the teeth of God above me,
In the face of the Creator!
May the earth swallow thee whole,
May the waters cover thee over,
May the fire consume thee utterly,
May the winds destroy thee completely,
May the tempests hurl thee from afar,
May the dark clouds bury thee forever,
May the forest trees devour thee,
May the pine-tree roots devour thee,
May the juniper bind thee fast,
May the cedar bind thee with boughs together,
May the fir-tree stifle thee with firs together,
May the oak-tree kill thee with its trunks,
May the giant oak-trees slay thee with their roots,
May the giant fir-trees slay thee with their cones,
May the white-pine shoot thee with needles,
May the pines shoot thee with spears and arrows,
May the aspen shoot thee with lances,
May the willow shoot thee with thorns,
May the willow-bark shoot thee with arrows,
May the red-willows shoot thee with spits,
May the yellow-willows shoot thee with knives,
May the purple-wands shoot thee with forks,
May the black-willows shoot thee with knives,
May the oaks shoot thee with axes,
May the mighty oak-trees slay thee with clubs,
May the giant elms slay thee with stakes,
May the great elm-tops slay thee with hatchets,
May the golden birch-tree slay thee with spades,
May the oak-tree slay thee with swords and crossbows,
May the willows slay thee with spears and stones,
May the aspens slay thee with spears and stones,
May the cypress-tree slay thee with forks,
May the cherry-tree slay thee with forks,
May the poplar-tree slay thee with forks,
May the maple-tree slay thee with swords and fists,
May the walnut-tree slay thee with forks,
May the acacia-tree slay thee with forks,
May the almond-tree slay thee with forks,
May the olive-tree slay thee with forks,
May the pear-tree slay thee with forks,
May the plum-tree slay thee with forks,
May the quince-tree slay thee with forks,
May the apricot-tree slay thee with forks,
May the peach-tree slay thee with forks,
May the plum-blossom-tree slay thee with forks,
May the peach-bloom-tree slay thee with forks,
May the plum-tree-blossom-tree slay thee with forks,
May the walnut-tree slay thee with forks,
May the oak-tree slay thee with forks,
May the oak-trunk-tree slay thee with forks,
May the ash-tree slay thee with forks,
May the juniper slay thee with forks,
May the willow-tree slay thee with forks,
May the poplar-tree slay thee with forks,
May the chestnut-tree slay thee with forks,
May the oak-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the locust-tree slay thee with forks,
May the oak-tree-branch-tree slay thee with forks,
May the walnut-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the acacia-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the almond-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the pear-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the plum-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the quince-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the orange-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the pear-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the peach-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the plum-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the orange-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the walnut-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the acacia-tree-bush slay thee with forks,
May the almond-tree-bush slay thee with forks."
Thereupon the aged Väinämöinen
Answered in the words which follow:
"I have heard that thou hast spoken
Wrongly, O Lemminkainen's mother.
Thou wilt not live to curse thyself,
For I shall soon send thee far away,
To the distant regions of Pohja,
To the dismal Sariola; there thou
Shalt be fed by strangers on haystraw,
On the straw of wild swine or cattle,
And shalt never know the sweet taste of butter,
Nor of milk nor of any fat substance.
But if thou wilt go with me to Pohja,
Wilt journey to the dismal Sariola,
Where the food is only of the poor,
Then we'll give thee gold and silver,
Give thee clothes embroidered with silver,
Give thee shoes of finest leather,
Give thee a fur-coat from the Northland,
From the plains of Kalevala."
Lemminkainen's mother answered,
Spoke these measures to her son:
"If thou art sent to Pohjola,
Sent to the dismal Sariola,
There shalt thou perish utterly,
Forsake thine infant life forever,
Live for ever as an outcast,
Never enjoy the sweetness
Of the pleasures of childhood,
Never taste the sweets of maidens,
Never know the pleasure of dancing,
Never see the beauty of women,
Never hear the songs of children,
Never taste the honey of honeyed bread,
Never drink the beer of barley,
Never feel the warmth of firewood,
Never taste the sappy sap of plants,
Nor the juice of grapes in summer,
Nor the balm of myrtles in autumn,
Nor the kola nut in winter."
Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,
Heard his mother's answer with displeasure,
Handsome hero, Kaukomieli,
Quickly seized his broadsword, Ilmarinen,
Drew it from its scabbard of copper,
Drove his way through fields and forests,
Through the fields of thickets and lowlands,
Over hills and over valleys,
O'er all the level lands he hurried,
Till he came to Pohjola's castle,
Came to the borders of the village,
To the very gates of Pohja.
When he had entered Pohjola's castle,
Turning one way then another,
Looking at every window, door, sill,
Looking upon each piece of furniture,
Not a single thing did he find
That suited him or was fitting,
That would fit his body's dimensions,
Fit his head within its socket,
Or his feet within their proper shoe.
In vain he looked around him,
In the chambers of the dwelling,
In the halls and in the apartments,
In the storerooms and the treasure vaults,
In the cellars deep beneath ground,
In the vaulted cellar of Pohja,
Found nothing suitable for him.
Then the lively Lemminkainen,
Hero, Kaukomieli, answered,
Said the handsome Väinämöinen:
"Let us seek for something else now,
Find some other utensil here,
Some other utensile here for working,
While the sun shines brightly, warmly,
While the moonlight glimmers o'er the mountains,
For our work we can't avoid it,
It will surely come to pass."
Then they sought for something else now,
Seeking everywhere about them,
Finding none but things unsuitable,
None could meet their needs exactly,
Could be fashioned well for working,
Might serve their hands for cutting,
Might serve their feet for running,
Might serve their backs for carrying,
As a plow might serve a farmer.
Still no utensil met their eyes,
They were searching everywhere,
But they found neither hammer, sledge,
Neither axe nor mallet fit them,
Nor a hatchet fitted them,
Nor a saw was sharp enough,
Nor a sickle keen enough,
Nor a pair of scissors,
Only axes and knives.
Thus they fared to Pohjola's castle,
Sought for something else still more,
Found again but axes and knives,
And the heads of many chickens,
All the heads of chickens of different kinds,
Cut off and hanging on hooks,
Hungry hogs, sheep, and steers of bison,
All the bones of game animals,
All the marrow of deer and reindeer,
All the meat of whales and sturgeons,
All the flesh of fowls and geese,
All the bones of fish and sea-fowl,
All the tongues of birds of various species.
These the heads of all the poultry,
All the heads of chickens, ducks, and geese;
These the bones of all the game animals,
All the bones of hogs, sheep, and steers of bison,
All the marrow of deer and reindeer,
All the meat of whales and sturgeons,
All the tongues of all the birds of various species.
Hereupon young Lemminkainen,
Young and lovely Kaukomieli,
With his mother, wife, and sister,
Looked and pondered deeply together,
How they might best prepare the food,
What the best method would be for cooking,
Which would give the most delicious result.
On the floor there sat a little maiden,
Sat a matron too, of all the others,
On the floor sat she who once had been
The youngest daughter of the Northland,
Peewit, wise and wisest of her people,
Who had grown up in the kingdom
Of the wicked Wabeno, witch of Tuoni.
From her forehead flowed a streamlet,
Spouted from her mouth a river,
From her chin a creek issued,
Ran along her shoulders, arms, and legs,
Made her hair grow thicker, browner, grayer,
Filled her cheeks with pimples as blackberry,
Crept along among her tresses,
Streamed along her bosom, underarms,
Down her sides and thighs, until it reached
Her knees and ankles, where it stopped short.
Thereupon these words the maid began:
"I have heard that you are come to Pohyola,
Come to stay with me in my mansion,
Where I will make you everything ready,
Make your journey easy, smooth, and painless."
Louhi, Pohya's old Mistress,
Old and ugly dame of Northland,
Answered in the words which follow:
"No!  I am not coming to Pohyola,
Coming to your home in Kalevala,
Neither am I staying with you there!"
Lemminkainen, happy in heart,
Handsome hero, Kaukomieli,
Shook his locks and answered thus again:
"Never will I leave thy mansion,
Leave thee then, thou foul and evil one,
Thou, O Witch of Tuonela,
To the depths of hell shalt thou go,
To the infernal regions distant,
To the fires of Hell and Darkness,
To the lowest depth of darkness."
This the answer of the Northland:
"O thou son of Lapland, Lemminkainen,
Do not grieve so greatly,
We shall help thee get thine entrance
Through the gates of Tuonela,
Through the gates of Manala,
Through the portals of Death-land,
Safely through the fire-field,
Safely through the water-body,
Through the pathway of the serpent,
Through the path of wild beasts,
Through the paths of wolves and bears,
Through the forest-grounds and glades,
Wandering alone or with companions."
Now the days went quickly onward,
Fast the weeks and fast the months progressed,
Scarcely one year had passed over,
When the sun rose upon the ocean,
Ere the moon set upon the billows.
Then the Northland heroes, Lemminkainen,
Gathered at the palace-chamber,
Called the sorceress to council,
In the chambers of the hostess,
In the court-room of the sorceress,
In the dwelling of the hostess,
Brought before the sorceress,
For the sake of entering into her service.
But the hostess did not listen,
Did not heed their calling,
Till she spoke as follows:
"'Tis enough, I've listened long enough,
Long enough have I waited here,
That I've gathered at the portal
Many a time, many a day,
Many a night, many a morning,
Many a night have I wandered
Through the fire-fields and the waters,
Through the pathways of the serpents,
Through the paths of wolves and bears,
Through the forest-grounds and glades,
Waiting for thee, O Lemminkainen!'
Then the hostess of the Northland
Sent the hero forth into the fire-fields,
Sent him forth to wander through the marshes,
Sought he now a place of resting,
Seeking a spot to rest on,
Found a rock upon the waters,
On the shore a birch-tree standing,
By the sea-shore a pine-tree standing.
Thus the hero, Lemminkainen,
Quickly climbed the oak-tree trunk,
And he tore the birchen bark apart,
Dragged out the mighty oak-wood,
Cut the fir-cones from the fir-tree,
Split the lindens from the linden,
Removed the branches from the willow,
Removed the branches from the ash-tree;
With his hands he smoothed them well,
With his fingers worked them into shape,
Soaped them thoroughly, rubbed them soft,
Molded them into seats and covers,
Made the seats and covers very good,
Built an upper chamber for the hostess,
Built the roof above the fire-place,
Built the roof of rushes wrapped around,
Hung the scarfs of deer-skin round it,
Hung the robes of ermine round it,
Round the outermost roof-roof hung they,
As a protection against the rain-storms,
Against the snow-storm in winter.
At the door he built a table,
Heated well the coal for cooking,
Stirred up the coals beneath it,
Set before the hero, Lemminkainen,
Here a bowl of honey-drink prepared,
From the bowl a cup of milk prepared,
Here a basket of fish arranged,
Placed therein the smelted gold-ore,
Placed within the golden ore-ware,
There the silver vessels placed,
And the dishes filled with cream-white butter,
Filled with milk from cows' udders churned,
Filled with cream, the sweetest that ever was.
Spake the reckless Lemminkainen,
These the words of Kaukomieli:
"I myself will be the hostess,
Will be mistress of this household,
Lead the hostess' duties,
Make the meals, prepare the viands,
Give the guests the food prepared,
Guard the tables from all disturbance,
Keep the doors securely closed,
Let no man enter, none, not even maidens,
Not even virgins, maids of beauty,
Not the smallest thing disturb me,
Nor the slightest sound disturbs my slumber!"
Then the reckless Lemminkainen
Rocked himself in sleep beside the fire,
Lay there like a log in the centre,
Like a lump of clay in the centre,
Deeply sunk in slumber,
While the heroes stood and wondered,
Standing by the hearthstone, wondering,
What the hero would accomplish,
What the daughter of Pohyola,
Would accomplish when she awoke.
Then arose the hostess, Ilmarinen,
She the great-granddaughter of Kaino,
From the island of Wainola,
From the kingdom of the Northland,
To the village of the Northland,
To the courts of Sariola,
To the courts of Kalevala.
Spoke these words to Lemminkainen:
"O thou son of evil, Lemminkainen,
Thou the laughing-stock of Northland,
Why art sleeping so deeply?
Is thy head troubled, then, Lemminkainen,
Or is something troubling thee?"
Lemminkainen spake in answer,
Answered thus the lively Lemminkainen:
"Nay, mother dear, I am not troubled,
Neither am I troubled, mother dear,
Only weary, weary indeed."
Said the wicked mother, Ilmarinen:
"Wilt thou leave thy home and kindred,
Leave thy people, leave thy father,
Leave thy land forever, O Lemminkainen,
Never more return again,
Nevermore come back as hero,
Nevermore visit Northland,
Till thou hast been drowned in Pohya,
Drowned in the deeps of Kalma!
Go ye forth, therefore, thou wicked one,
Go, depart hence from here forever,
For the gods have given me heedlessness,
Have neglected thee greatly,
That I did not heed thy warnings,
Did not warn thee, as thou shouldst not,
Shouldst not heed thy warning,
When I left thee in the water,
Left thee in the cataract's foaming,
In the whirlpool's rushing torrent,
In the river's turbulent whirlpool,
In the boiling river's whirlpool,
In the rushing stream of Mana,
In the raging billows of Manala,
In the floods of Tuoni's waters,
In the falls of Mana's streams,
Where the Bear Island flows between,
In the whirlpool of Tuoni,
On the Bear Island's brinkful,
In the cataract's foaming torrent,
In the whirlpool of Manala,
In the falls of Mana's waters."
But the reckless Lemminkainen
Stepped aside on the threshold,
Steps aside upon the threshold,
Crouched down in the dust of threshold,
Looked about him, looked throughout the room,
Saw the hostess standing at attention,
Saw the kitchen-maidens busy,
Saw the beer-preparers serving,
Serving barley cakes and other viands,
Saw the women preparing feasting,
All were working hard in Northland,
Working hard in their homes and households.
Then he spoke in bitterness of heart:
"Hitherward I'll go, I shall not rest
Until I see my mother-in-law,
See my mother-in-law seated at her board,
Asking what work has brought me hither,
Wherefore has my shipment taken place?"
Quick the hostess answered, saying:
"Come with me, thou reckless one,
Come with me, thou insolent one,
We will journey together homeward,
Homeward, with thy foul mouth full of foam;
We shall not stay for thy rudeness,
Shall not listen to thy boasting,
Shall not give thine hand to shake for flattery,
Shall not give thine ear to thine own bragging,
Shall not give thine eye to thine own treachery,
Shall not give thine tongue to thine own falsehood,
Shall not give thine hand to touch thy garment,
Shall not give thine eye to look upon thy vestments,
Shall not give thine ear to thyself-promoting,
Shall not give thine eye to gaze upon thy jewels,
Shall not give thine mouth to kiss thy lips,
Shall not give thine eyes to look upon thy beauty,
Shall not give thine ears to hear thy praise-worthy,
Nor give thine eyelids to weep for weeping,
Shall not give thine arms to clasp thy neck,
Shall not give thine arms to embrace thy waistband,
Shall not give thine hands to touch thy bosom,
Shall not give thine hair to caress thy beauties,
Shall not give thine eyes to look upon thy beauty,
Shall not give thine voice to speak thy beauty!"
Thereupon wild Lemminkainen
Stooped his mighty shoulders,
Rested them on the thresholds,
Lay there like a rock in water,
Like a stone in the ocean.
Spake the reckless Lemminkainen:
"I would wander onward, farther,
Would roam further, farther northward,
If I could find the maiden,
Find the maid with golden tresses,
Golden locks all golden-tasselled,
Beautiful as moonlight in summer,
Moonlight in the midnight darkness,
Fairest maiden of Pohyola."
Now the hostess gave this answer:
"Do not ask me questions, Lemminkainen,
Ask yourself instead, and learn the reason;
Know that thou art too presumptuous,
Too audacious, too daring,
To ask one question of the hostess,
Of the old woman who serves us,
Who is mistress of these rooms,
These chambers are her court-rooms,
And she can easily tell thee
What thou wishest to know or inquire."
Wild Lemminkainen then made answer:
"Tell me truly now, O hostess,
Why was I born in Northland,
Why am I come so far to Pohya,
So far to Kalma's kingdom?
Wilt thou tell me truly, tell it all,
Whose child was conceived by magic,
By what means was I created?"
This is how the reckless Lemminkainen
Answers himself in words like these:
"When the sun arose from sleep,
From his bed he rose and went forth,
Heard the distant thunder,
Heard the distant rainbows,
Greeted the morning stars,
Made the earth rejoice,
Brought the first flowers of springtime,
First buds of the year-long vegetation,
To the fields and forests,
To the rivers and lakeshores,
To the meadows and pastures,
To the cornfields and pasturage,
To the woods and mountains,
To the caves and caverns,
To the islands in the sea,
In the etherial regions,
On the farthest borders,
'Midst the fields of Sariola,
On the borders of Lapland,
Near the forest-lands of Kalevala,
On the borders of Manala,
In the land of the blessed,
In the realm of Kalevala."
Lemminkainen's mother answers:
"Thou hast asked well indeed,
Well have asked aright, my son,
But I cannot tell thee why,
Only know that thou art inquiring,
That thou hast asked aright,
Therefore I must decline answering.
Listen to the answer I give thee,
Listen to the reason I give thee:
Long ago, when thou wast still a babe,
Came a great comet from the heavens,
Flew through heaven in dazzling splendor,
Showed itself before the people,
Touched their faces with terror,
Touched their hearts with dreadfulness,
Touched their garments with shame-facedness,
All the hosts of Louhi's people,
All the women turned pale-facened,
All the maidens changed their dresses,
All the virgins changed their names,
Sought each other at the portals,
Searching for some one they knew not,
Some one whom they had left long time,
Had forgotten even in childhood,
Sitting alone in silence,
Sitting without friends or company,
Looking without hope or refuge,
Looked without any object,
With no purpose, with no thought,
Without an object, without end!
Then the aged Vaeinaemoeinen
Thus addressed the Comet of Evil:
"O thou foul and evil comet,
Fallen star of sorrow, fall from heaven,
Leave our children in eternal darkness,
Leave our homes and our dwellings,
Leave our fireside silent and darkling,
Let the fire burn low, let the smoke arise,
Let the smoke be spread abroad over Pohyola,
Let the smoke ascend into heaven,
Let the smoke rise up to Pohyola!"
Then the father of the heroes,
Vaeinaemoeinen, answered him:
"Not yet have I spoken thus,
Will not speak thus more fully,
Never will I utter such a word,
Though I hear it from the heavens,
Though I see it shining brightly,
Though I feel its force within me,
As a serpent stir within me,
As a snake when it creeps beneath me!"
Thereupon the hero, Vaeinaemoeinen,
Turned away his head and spoke again:
"Never shall I say this word again,
Nor another word pronouncement,
Though I hear it from the heavens,
Though I see it shining brightly,
Though I feel its force within me,
As a serpent stir within me,
As a snake when it creeps beneath me!
I myself have heard it whispered,
Hear it in my own heart whispering,
Have felt its power within me,
When I slept upon my couch of straw,
When I lay down on the ground,
While the fire burned near me,
While my cloak was about me,
And my mantle round me.
"This the word which I forbore saying,
Forbidden word of evil,
Evil word, the worst of evils,
Which I would not utter lightly,
Would not utter lightly even,
If I heard it only from others,
Or if it were uttered once already,
Once among the hosts of Pohya;
But I know it better, better,
Know it much better than others,
Know it much better than others,
Know it best of all the evil
Words that are spoken in summer,
Speaking of the coming of the Comet,
Of the evil star descending,
Of the evil star falling from heaven,
Of the fiery steed returning,
Of the flaming chariot running,
Flaming from out the window,
Coming from the open windows,
From the casements opening,
From the doors of window,
Opening wide the casements,
Spreading wide the doors of window,
Revealing to men the country,
Making them glad and joyful,
Making them all forget their sorrows,
Bringing good things to all the people,
Giving them joy and pleasure,
Making all forget their sadness,
Forgetting all their trouble and sorrow.
"Come then, O Comet of mischief,
Come, thou foul and evil comet,
Fire-child of Tuoni, Lempo's offspring,
Come and destroy the people,
Destroy the host of Pohya,
Make the houses ruinous,
Melt the roofs and stones of stone,
Burn the houses to ashes,
Blast the villages to cinders,
Scatter the ashes far and wide,
To the farthest ends of Northland.
"Should this be thy wish, O Comet,
Thou wilt come and accomplish it,
Do not care to wait for seasons,
Wait for ages, centuries, millennia,
Dwell not within the house of man,
In the chambers of his mother,
In the chambers of his sister,
Or in halls where strangers dwell,
Wandering evermore the village.
Shouldst thou wish to enter the dwelling
Of the master of the household,
Enter as guest without fear,
Walk as though thou hadst never been
Outwardly unkempt and unclean,
Unshaven, shabby, ill-drest,
Shameless, shapeless, unworthy,
Like the common people,
Like the beggars wandering
Through the streets of Kalevala."
Then the son of Wainamoinen
Answered in the words which follow:
"Friend, thou hast spoken well indeed,
Well advised am I in all wisdom,
All the counsel given by thee,
All the utterances of thy lips,
All thine utterations are wise,
All thy words are just and true,
All thy utterings are worthy,
All thy speech is fit for persons,
For the sons of evil mothers,
For the daughters of enchanters.
"Therefore should I praise thee highly,
Boasting of thy deeds and virtues,
Praising of thy words, thy virtues,
Of thy songs, thy utterances,
That they bring to mind the days
Long passed away in summer,
When thy feet were swiftest of all,
When thy hands were strongest of all,
When thy mouth was clearest of all,
When thou didst sing in beauty,
Singing through the world like eagles,
On the borders of the waters,
On the borders of the marshes,
Underneath the branches of trees,
On the borders of the forest,
On the border of the cornfields,
On the borders of the heather,
By the banks of rivers flowing,
Near the islands in the ocean,
Where the sun shines most brightly,
Near the borders of the woodlands,
Near the borders of the valleys,
Near the borders of the meadows,
Near the borders of the pastures,
Near the borders of the fens and forests,
Near the borders of the mountain passes,
Near the borders of the barrens,
Near the borders of the mountains,
Near the borders of the wastelands,
Near the borders of the waste places,
Near the borders of the wastes of desert,
Near the borders of all the regions,
Near the border of the land of darkness,
Near the border of the waterfalls,
Near the borders of the marshes,
Near the borders of the swamps and lowlands,
Near the borders of the bogs and forests,
Near the borders of all the regions,
Near the borders of the broad sea,
Near the boundaries of the sky,
Near the boundary of the heavens,
Near the boundary of the stars,
Near the borders of the ether,
Near the borders of the boundless ether,
Near the borders of the deeps of ocean,
Near the borders of the great blue seas,
Near the borders of the burning sands,
Near the borders of the darksome oceans,
Near the borders of the nethermost parts,
Near the borders of the lower regions,
Near the borders of the upper regions,
Near the borders of the lands of darkness,
Near the borders of the realms of evil,
Near the borders of Tuonela,
Near the borders of the gloomy regions,
Near the borders of Manala,
Near the borders of the kingdom of Tuoni,
Near the borders of the land of evil,
Near the borders of the realm of Mana,
Near the borders of the kingdom of Louhi,
Near the borders of the dark regions,
Near the borders of the regions of death,
Near the borders of Tuonela,
Near the borders of the kingdom of Kauko,
Near the borders of the land of good fortune;
There my feet will wander forever,
My footsteps will never return,
Never go back to mine own country!"
Thus the hero, Wainamoinen,
Spoke and left the ancient home;
Leaving behind him many a message,
Many a song and story,
Speaking words that seemed to please him,
And his journey ended here.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola,
Came to view her son departing,
Viewed long time the departed one,
Till she wept upon her knees,
Wept and sighed until her bosom
Throbbed with sorrow and woe-begone,
And she thus addressed her daughter:
"What has happened to this hero?
Why is his hand so limp and lifeless,
Weak his fingers and cold his heart?"
Then the lively Lemminkainen
Made answer in the words that follow:
"I have wandered far from my native,
Far beyond my father's distant homestead,
To seek the path of glory,
O'er the wide expanse to roam and search.
Here have I met a race of strangers,
Learned their ways and learned their language,
From the wicked to the righteous,
From the bad to the blameless,
In the courts of truth to learn them,
From the wicked to the virtuous,
From the good to the better beings."
Lemminkainen's mother answered:
"Tell us now concerning thy departure,
Who sent thee forth to roam and wander
Through this wild and perilous region,
This vast wilderness of Lapland,
With its icy winds and snow-storms,
With its tempests and thunder-bolts,
With its fire-winds and mighty tempests,
Which of all the nations hast thou encountered,
Whose ways are best and truest,
Worthiest of all the peoples?"
Spake the hero, Lemminkainen:
"I have traveled over all these nations,
All these lands of Lapland,
Over the plains of Sariola,
Over the hills of Tapio,
Over the uplands of Manala,
Over the river Kalma,
Over the river Manala,
Over the river Tapio,
Over the stream Manala,
Through the paths of righteousness,
Through the paths of truthfulness,
Through the paths of virtue,
Through the paths of happiness,
Through the paths of peace and plenty,
Through the paths of peacefulness,
Through the paths of beauty,
Through the paths of sweetness,
Through the paths of beauty,
Through the paths of strength and greatness,
Through the paths of knowledge,
Through the paths of wisdom,
Through the paths of magic,
Through the paths of sorcery,
Through the paths of magic,
Through the paths of magic,
Through the paths of magic,
Through the paths of magic,
On the waters of the river,
On the fields of Tapio,
On the uplands of Manala,
On the banks of Kalma,
On the banks of tapuolava,
On the river Kalma,
On the river Tapio,
On the stream Manala,
On the river Kalma,
Whence came I hither, O mother,
How am I come hither, O grandmother?"
Then the lively Lemminkainen
Answered in the words that follow:
"I have been brought hither by the Northland,
Brought by my people to this spot,
By my people to this island,
By my people to this mountain,
Where they may find me safe and warm,
May receive me into their keeping,
Feed me well and clothe me well,
Let me live with them and take delight,
Give me food and clothing abundant,
Let me work for them and have rest,
Let me be clothed with garments,
Be fed with food abundant,
Have what I need and want provided,
Make me strong and valiant,
Help me on my way to victory,
That I may conquer this evil,
That I may vanquish this nation,
Vanquish this tribe of evil,
That I may rid this world of evil,
Rescue my people from destruction,
Free my people from the evil,
Bring them to the fairest region,
To the pleasant homes of heroes,
To the dwellings of the good."
Lemminkainen's mother answered:
"Go not further, little child,
Do not venture farther,
Leave those paths and mountains,
Those regions only suited
For the unworthy and evil,
Take your journey northward,
Hasten onward to the village,
To the hamlet of Kauko,
There await thy husband,
As a bride and mother wait thee,
There as wife and mistress wait thee."
But the lively Lemminkainen,
He the handsome Kaukomieli,
Stepped forward boldly,
Toward his home and kindred,
Toward the hamlet of his parents,
Toward the dwelling of his brother,
As a bride and mother waited him,
As a wife and mistress awaited him.
Then he asked the people in thiswise:
"Whither do ye bring me, O people?
Is it here among the thickets,
Or upon the mountains, O people?
If it is upon the mountains,
Thou canst not harm me there alone,
Nor shall any one else harm me,
Since I am fitted for battle,
Fitly armed for combat,
Fitted for warlike service,
Ready for battle or warfare;
Therefore I must go toward it,
I must journey onward homeward,
Homeward to my father's house,
To my mother's distant dwelling,
To my sister's distant cottage,
And my brother's distant mansion.
"O my people, let me go homeward,
Let me leave you behind me,
In your forests and marshes,
In your lowlands and highlands,
Send me to the forest, O people,
To the fallow-fields and pastures,
To the swamps and lowlands, O people,
Where my father's herd is grazing,
Where my mother's cows are feeding,
And my brother's flocks are feeding,
And my sister's lambs are bleating,
And her young ones' milk is flowing."
Thus did Lemminkainen's mother
Speak in answer to her son,
Speaking thus the while to Lemminkainen:
"Little son of little worth,
Knowest thou nothing at all,
Nothing whatsoever knowest thou,
Of the pathless woods and highlands,
Of the valleys and the fens, O Lemminkainen?
Knowest thou nothing of these things,
Not aught of these things knowest thou,
Neither knowest thou of the Northland,
Nor of Pohyola's gloomy villages,
Nor of Kalevala's lowlands and mountains?"
Then the lively Lemminkainen
Spoke again in answer to his mother:
"No, nor know I anything of these,
Not aught of these know I of the Northland,
Nor of Pohyola's dismal villages,
Nor of Kalevala's dismal hamlets,
Nor of Kalevala's lowlands and mountains.
All these I know not, nor can know them,
Only know I of myself, my own self,
Know I of myself the truth eternal,
Know I of myself a lieutenancy,
Know I of myself the falsehood eternal,
Know I of myself the greatness of nothing,
Know I of myself the weakness of something,
Know I of myself the smallest size of nothing,
Know I of myself the greatest distance from heaven,
Know I of myself the shortest route to heaven,
Know I of myself the farthest and highest,
Know I of myself the lowest and nearest,
Know I myself the sun and moonlight,
Know I myself the mighty ocean tides,
Know I myself the winds and tempests,
Know I myself the leaves of autumn,
Know I myself the summer flowers,
Know I myself the leaves of winter,
Know I myself the stars and planets,
Know I myself the clouds and sunshine,
Know I myself the fire and water,
Know I myself the earth and sea-waves,
Know I myself the sky above me,
Know I myself the air below me,
Know I myself the waters under me,
Know I myself the trees and branches,
Know I myself the grasses and herbs,
Know I myself the stones and boulders,
Know I myself the rocks and mountains,
Know I myself the fir-tree and willow,
Know I myself the pine-tree and aspen,
Know I myself the birch-tree and oak-tree,
Know I myself the cedar and willow,
Know I myself the elm-tree and aspens,
Know I myself the poplar and willow,
Know I myself the linden and willow,
Know I myself the pine-wood and aspen,
Know I myself the balsam and resin,
Know I myself the juniper and aspen,
Know I myself the cypress and willow,
Know I myself the maple and willow,
Know I myself the locust and pine-wood,
Know I myself the black walnut and pine-tree,
Know I myself the red deer and white antler,
Know I myself the beaver and otter,
Know I myself the reindeer and otter,
Know I myself the eagle and sulky,
Know I myself the sturgeon and salmon,
Know I myself the whale and porpoise,
Know I myself the woodpecker and sparrow,
Know I myself the wasp and hornet,
Know I myself the bee and clapper-claw,
Know I myself the wild-goose flying,
Know I myself the robin singing,
Know I myself the bluebird and swallow,
Know I myself the thrush and wagtail,
Know I myself the goshawk and pelican,
Know I myself the katydid soaring,
Know I myself the turkey and grouse,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the fish and pike swimming,
Know I myself the owl and martin,
Know I myself the woodpecker and robin,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and sulky,
Know I myself the bluebird and swallower,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-wanderer,
Know I myself the swan and quail fighting,
Know I myself the gray wolf and lynx,
Know I myself the bear and panther,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-hunter,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-killer,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and hawk-fisher,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-chopper,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and wild-geese,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-catcher,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and wild-geese,
Know I myself the eagle and whippoorwill,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-lover,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-catcher,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and eagle-chooser,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow,
Know I myself the eagle and swallow.
<|endoftext|>
"The Dream", by Rudyard Kipling [Living, Death, Time & Brevity, Religion, The Spiritual]
I saw in a vision an angel come down,And all about him there were lights,And he held up his hands and cried: “O God!”Then I heard a voice say in a loud clear tone: “Thou art not Thine own Son;Take Him away!”—And then the angel said again: “God! but He is here!He has no sin upon His soul;He hath no fault to blot out;His sins are not too great;They cannot harm Him much;But if they should fall asleep,They would not know it!”Then I heard a voice say in another clear tone: “Thou art not Thine own Son;Take Him away!”—And then the angel said again: “God! but Thou hast given HimFor us to keep;We have no right to take Him away;He is our best gift;Do what thou canst with Him.”So I took my holy one away,And lay him on my bed of leaves;And when I looked at him,My heart was filled with sorrow;And I thought how I might forgetThat I had lost my only son.
<|endoftext|>
"An Epitaph for My Brother", by Rudyard Kipling [Living, Death, Sorrow & Grieving, Relationships, Family & Ancestors, Nature, Landscapes & Pastorals, Funerals]
Here lies my brother,
There lies my mother,
There lies my father,
All three together
In this tomb of ours.
They lie side by side,
Each in her grave-clothes.
Mother, you are fair;
Father, you are tall;
Brother, you are dark;
Yet we loved them well.
Now, where are the flowers?
Where are the ribbons?
Mother, you are cold;
Father, your head is heavy;
Brother, you weep.
Now, where are the slippers?
Where are the ribbons?
Mother, you are old;
Father, you are young;
Brother, you are wise.
Now, where are the books?
Where are the ribbons?
Mother, you are sad;
Father, you are glad;
Brother, you are blind.
Now, where are the slippers?
Where are the ribbons?
Mother, you are sad;
Father, you are glad;
Brother, you are blind.
You shall be buried
Together all together,
And neither of you
Shall see the other dead.
<|endoftext|>
"A Song", by Rudyard Kipling [Love, Realistic & Complicated, Romantic Love, Activities, Travels & Journeys, Relationships, Men & Women, Arts & Sciences, Poetry & Poets]
If you love me, let me alone.
Let me ride on your back through the world.
Ride on forever, never ask me why.
Never ask me where you're going, or why.
Only I'll know when you've reached your goal.
When you reach the end of the road, you will find
No sign of my footprints anywhere.
But I will wait beside you every step
Till you reach your destination. And when
You do, I shall appear before you,
Greeting you as you approach.
<|endoftext|>
"The Night of the Hunter", by Rudyard Kipling [Nature, Animals, Social Commentaries, History & Politics]
(‘The White Man's Burden’)

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A white man’s burden
is a load that must be borne
by a white man’s child.
White men bear burdens
for others to carry.
This is the way of things.
It is good for those who bear
to share them freely.
White men bear burdens
and they are happy.
<|endoftext|>
"The Rain-bow", by Rudyard Kipling [Relationships, Pets, Nature, Weather]
Rain-bows
are made of rain-drops.
Rain-drops
are beautiful.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven.
Beautiful
rain-drops
fall from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Beautiful
rain-drops
come from heaven
into my garden.
Rain-drops
are beautiful.
<|endoftext|>
"The Story of the Yellow Page", by Rudyard Kipling [Social Commentaries, Cities & Urban Life, Class, Money & Economics]
I
Yellow pages
are full of promises
of wealth and glory.
Wine flows in golden cups
from yellow glass bottles
in yellow streets.
Yellow pages
have silver spoons
and gold forks
which glitter like snow.
Money has wings
yellow pages
carry it high.
Silver spoons
are dipped in gold
and silver forks
are tipped with silver.
Gold spoons have handles
gold pages hold them up.
II
A yellow page
has many faces
like a yellow duck.
Duck faces smile
and smile at each other.
Their eyes are open
and their beaks are blue.
Blue beaks
hold a yellow duck.
III
A yellow duck
flies down a yellow street
with a yellow umbrella.
He flies over the yellow ducks
who swim under him.
He flies above the yellow pages
whose heads are yellow.
He flies over the yellow pages
whose backs are yellow.
IV
A yellow duck
comes out of the sky
with a yellow umbrella.
The yellow umbrella holds
a yellow duck.
The yellow duck flies away
with the yellow umbrella.
The yellow umbrella flies
above the yellow ducks
who swim beneath it.
They swim under the yellow umbrella
and disappear into yellow trees.
V
Yellow pages
have many colours
like the rainbow.
Many colours
are red and green.
Red and green
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with gold.
Gold
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
VI
A yellow duck
falls from the sky
with a yellow umbrella.
The yellow umbrella holds
a yellow duck.
The yellow duck falls
down a yellow street
with a yellow umbrella.
The yellow umbrella floats
over the yellow ducks
who swim under it.
The umbrella floats
over the yellow pages
whose backs are yellow.
VII
A yellow page
has many hands.
Many hands
are stretched toward the yellow ducks.
Some of the hands
are closed and some of the hands
open and close like fingers.
Some of the hands
are long and thin
like a yellow duck.
Long and thin
handles
are twisted around
the yellow duck.
VIII
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with gold.
Gold
is spread out over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
IX
A yellow page
has many toes.
Many toes
are yellow and white.
White and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silvers
are sprinkled
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
X
A yellow page
has many mouths.
Many mouths
are open and shut
like yellow ducks.
Mouths
are bright and shining
like yellow ducks.
XI
A yellow page
has many stars.
Many stars
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with gold.
Gold
is strewn
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XII
A yellow page
has many hearts.
Many hearts
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XIII
A yellow page
has many legs.
Many legs
are yellow and gray.
Gray and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XL
A yellow page
has many eyes.
Many eyes
are yellow and blue.
Blue and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLI
A yellow page
has many tails.
Many tails
are yellow and purple.
Purple and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with gold.
Gold
is spread out over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLII
A yellow page
has many tongues.
Many tongues
are yellow and pink.
Pink and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLIII
A yellow page
has many ears.
Many ears
are yellow and green.
Green and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
Larger images
will appear as you work.
XLIV
A yellow page
has many eyes.
Many eyes
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLV
A yellow page
has many legs.
Many legs
are yellow and golden.
Golden and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XLVI
A yellow page
has many toes.
Many toes
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLVII
A yellow page
has many wings.
Many wings
are yellow and orange.
Orange and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XLIII
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and gray.
Gray and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLIVA
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and blue.
Blue and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLIVB
A yellow page
has many lips.
Many lips
are yellow and purple.
Purple and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XLV
A yellow page
has many eyes.
Many eyes
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered
over the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLVI
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLVII
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and purple.
Purple and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XLVII
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLVIII
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XLIX
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXI
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and blue.
Blue and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXII
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXIII
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXIV
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXV
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXVI
A yellow page
has many eyes.
Many eyes
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXVII
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and blue.
Blue and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXVIII
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXIX
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXX
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXI
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXXII
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXIII
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and blue.
Blue and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXIV
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXXV
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXVI
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XXXVII
A yellow page
has many teeth.
Many teeth
are yellow and black.
Black and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXVIII
A yellow page
has many feet.
Many feet
are yellow and brown.
Brown and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with silver.
Silver
is scattered over
the yellow pages
and they shine like rain.
XXXIX
A yellow page
has many feathers.
Many feathers
are yellow and red.
Red and yellow
make a yellow page.
Yellow pages
are filled with copper.
Copper
is shiny and heavy
like yellow ducks.
XL
The yellow duck is white on the top,
but when it's wet or cold, it turns red.
And when it rains, it shines like gold.
It has no feathers, but its body glows
with the light of day.
<|endoftext|>
"The Wind", by Amy Clampitt [Nature, Weather]
The wind blows through the trees,
a whisper in the leaves.
The wind stirs the grasses,
flung from branches that sway.
The wind comes through the windows,
an open window,
winding the house with wind.
The wind sings to the birds,
the song it makes among the branches.
The wind moves across the street,
moving houses along.
The wind goes up and down the street,
lifts the roof off houses.
The wind shakes the tree branches,
thundering through the branches.
The wind knocks the door to my room,
shakes the door to my bed.
The wind laughs at me,
laughing at me as I sleep.
My dreams are filled with wind,
filled with wind and laughter.
Wind is laughing at me,
laughing at me as I dream.
The wind sings to the trees,
sings into the branches.
Wind whispers to the trees,
whispers to the branches.
The wind moves through the door,
floats through the door.
The wind moves through the window,
waves through the window.
The wind moves through the window,
drifting through the window.
The wind carries the snow,
carries the snow through the streets.
The wind lifts the curtain,
flips the sheet, dancing across the floor.
The wind puts on the lights,
puts on the lights in the hall.
The wind opens the curtains,
opens the curtains in the room.
The wind sings to the stars,
singing to the stars in the sky.
The wind picks up the sheets,
picks up the sheets in the hallway.
The wind goes out the window,
goes out the window,
tossing the sheets away on the ground.
The wind sings to the trees,
sings to the branches.
The wind shakes the trees,
shakes the branches in the yard.
The wind shakes the grasses,
drops the grasses in the gutter.
The wind laughs to itself,
laughs to itself in the trees.
The wind throws the snow,
throws the snow across the street.
The wind tosses the snow,
throws the snow across the street.
The wind laughs to itself,
jokes to itself in the trees.
XLI
The wind brings the snow,
blowing snow across the street.
The wind throws the sheets aside,
leaving them lying in the doorway.
The wind sings to the trees,
sings to the branches.
The wind moves through the doors,
floats through the doors.
The wind passes through the window,
passes through the window.
The wind sings to the birds,
sings to the birds in the branches.
The wind sings to the grasses,
sings to the grasses in the garden.
The wind shakes the leaves,
thunders through the leaves.
The wind shakes the trees,
crashes through the trees.
The wind throws the snow,
throws the snow across the street.
The wind sings to the stars,
sings to the stars in the sky.
The wind sings to the stars,
sings to the stars in the sky.
<|endoftext|>
"Cherry Trees", by Amy Clampitt [Living, Coming of Age, Life Choices, Nature, Trees & Flowers]
I was a child who loved to play.
The cherry tree stood in the park
in front of our house.
I would climb the tall branches,
climbing until I reached the top.
Then I would sit on the trunk,
touching the bark with my fingers.
When I touched the bark,
it felt soft and warm against my hand.
I pressed my face into the bark,
feeling the coolness inside.
I thought about you,
and what we could do together.
I wanted you so much,
and I knew you were far away.
But I could not move away from you.
You were too close, too near.
I had to be closer to you.
So I climbed the tree again.
This time, I did not touch the bark,
but I sat on your lap.
I put my arms around you,
my chin in your chest.
I said, "Dear," and pressed myself
against you. My lips kissed the hollow
inside of your throat.
I thought about you,
and what we could do together.
I wanted to kiss you,
and I knew you were far away.
But I could not move away from you.
You were too close, too near.
I had to be closer to you.
I sat there all day long.
And when night came,
I crawled under the cherry tree.
It was cold under there, but I did not care.
I curled up in the branches,
sleeping on your lap.
Afterward, I lay beside you
in the dark. The moon shone bright
on my shoulder blades.
I dreamed of you,
and what we could do together.
I wanted to hold you,
and I knew you were far away.
But I could not move away from you.
You were too close, too near.
I had to be closer to you.
So I slept underneath the cherry tree.
II
I was a young girl who loved to play.
A cherry tree stood at the edge
of the meadow where she played.
She liked to lie down in the shade
and watch the sun go down.
I watched her lie there,
her eyes closed, her hair pulled back
into her face. She looked so peaceful.
I wanted to give her something
to keep her happy for a while.
I picked some blossoms from the bush,
and laid them on her lap.
She smiled at me,
and opened her eyes.
They seemed so big and blue.
I went over to the bushes,
and brought another one.
She took it from me,
and then she held it above her head.
She looked up at me,
as if she expected me to give it to her.
I gave it to her, thinking how much it meant
to have something beautiful like that.
She got up slowly,
and walked back over to the bush.
III
I was a young boy who loved to play.
He lived across the road,
where the cherry tree stood.
We used to ride our bikes
all over the place,
looking for cherries.
Sometimes he would sneak out
and get a cherry himself.
I always brought him a few,
just enough to fill his basket.
One day, I found him sitting alone
at the base of the cherry tree.
His mother was washing dishes,
and he was looking at us.
I asked him why he was looking at us.
He said, "Because I am lonely."
IV
In the early morning
the cherry tree stood in the park
with its branches waving,
like a great flag.
There were no cherries left.
Only weeds and dust.
I saw a man sitting on a bench,
watching the flag wave by.
I asked him if he could tell me
what it meant. He pointed to the ground,
then to the sky. Then to the trees.
He told me, "It means hope is gone."
<|endoftext|>
"Horse", by Amy Clampitt [Activities, Sports & Outdoor Activities, Relationships, Pets]
The horse stands still
while I walk towards him.
He doesn't look at me.
He doesn't even turn around.
I don't know why he does this.
Maybe he's afraid of me.
Or maybe he thinks I'm going to eat him.
Perhaps he wants to talk to me.
Or perhaps he just likes being petted.
I think he's embarrassed.
Or maybe he's curious.
Perhaps he's trying to figure out what I want.
Whatever the reason, he doesn't move.
He doesn't try to run or jump or anything.
He simply stands there,
a little bit taller than me,
his ears pinned back,
stiff as a board.
Maybe he's waiting for someone else to come along.
Maybe he's waiting for me to leave.
I wonder if he knows any other horses.
If he knows anyone who might treat him kindly?
<|endoftext|>
"What I Saw in the Sky", by Amy Clampitt [Nature, Stars,  Planets,  Heavens, Arts & Sciences, Reading & Books]
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it didn't shine on me.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it didn't show up on a map.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it didn't exist.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so small it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so bright it blinded me.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so tiny it couldn't be seen with the telescope.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it didn't exist.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so far away it couldn't be heard with the radio.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so dim it wouldn't be visible with the naked eye.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so bright it burned my retina.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was too close to earth to see with the naked eye.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it existed only in my dreams.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so bright it blinded me.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so small it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it was so bright it burned my retina.
I saw an orange star
that wasn't an orange star
because it exists only in my dreams.
<|endoftext|>
"The Last Man Standing", by Amy Clampitt [Living, Death, Sorrow & Grieving, Social Commentaries, War & Conflict]
For Pete Seeger

I met you in the street one time—
You were wearing a hat with a feather in it.
And I thought, This must be the old man from the village.
But it turned out to be the new kid.
And I thought: What a strange coincidence!
The old man had been dead for years,
But the new kid was just born yesterday.
How did they meet?
They looked like twins, but you can never tell.
And when I asked them how they knew each other,
They smiled and shrugged their shoulders.
They hadn't really explained it to me.
So I went home to bed.
When I woke up in the morning, I found you lying dead on the sidewalk.
That's where you died, I suppose.
We're all dying somewhere.
Sometimes we die alone, sometimes we die beside you.
I remember once I was walking down the road with my friend Jim,
And we heard a dog barking outside our window.
We stopped to listen, and then we walked on.
I don't know why we did that, but we did.
There are no words to explain the way we feel about dogs.
Jim said later that day: It sounded like a woman crying.
It could have been, but I don't know.
I guess it made us stop and listen.
I mean, we didn't do anything wrong.
We weren't doing anything dangerous either.
But we felt something, and we listened.
Just because we can't say it doesn't make it less real.
In the end, though, it doesn't matter whether we did or not.
After all, we're all dying somewhere.
Some will be killed in action, some at home with loved ones around.
Some will lie in wait, some will hide in plain sight.
We'll all be living when we die.
So it doesn't matter if it does or not.
What matters is that we live.
<|endoftext|>
"Barefoot Boy", by Michael Farrell [Relationships, Family & Ancestors, Nature, Animals]
A barefoot boy
runs through our yard
and jumps into the water
to chase a rabbit.
He runs back
through our yard
and leaps into the water again.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and jumps into the water again.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and jumps into the water again.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and jumps into the water again.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and jumps into the water again.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
He runs back
through our yard
and dives under the dock.
<|endoftext|>
"To the Moon", by Michael Farrell [Nature, Stars,  Planets,  Heavens, Arts & Sciences, Photography & Film, Poetry & Poets]
If you want to know what the moon looks like
then look at this photograph of the moon taken by the Apollo 17 crew on July 20, 1972.
This photo shows the moon as it would appear to someone standing on Earth.
The moon is not a perfect sphere, nor is it round all the time.
Instead, it wobbles slightly as it orbits the Earth.
However, there is nothing wrong with the moon; it is simply showing its age.
At this stage of its life, the moon has spent most of its energy
on building itself up slowly from scratch.
Now that it is older than ever before, it is time to let it go.
Letting go of the moon means letting go of everything.
The moon is a piece of dust that floats in space.
Letting go of the moon also means letting go of your fears.
Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of the future.
These things are small and easily overcome.
But the past, the present, and the future are much bigger obstacles.
Even if you fail at something, it won't destroy you.
Failure is an opportunity to learn something.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
Its light is so beautiful that it makes us want to leave our bodies.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
It is hard to imagine, but the moon is actually made up of millions of tiny pieces.
Each one of these pieces is called a pixel and they move around together like a camera.
They take pictures of each other and send them back to the computer.
The computer processes these images and gives them back to you.
You can even see the pixels moving over the moon in the photograph above.
Here is another picture of the moon taken by the Apollo 15 astronauts on January 5, 1971.
Look closely at the pixels. They are still moving around together.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
When we look at the moon, we are really looking at thousands of little dots.
Each dot represents a tiny part of the whole.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
All the stars in the sky are just little dots too.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
Every moment of every day, billions of tiny particles are falling toward the earth.
The moon is a great example of this idea.
And yet it moves away from us constantly.
It is always farther away from us than any other object.
It is always farther away from us than any other object.
There is no reason for it to do this. It should stay close to us.
There is no reason for it to do this.
It is only doing this because it is old and heavy.
It is only doing this because it is old and heavy.
It will eventually fall into the ocean and sink.
It will eventually fall into the ocean and sink.
But it will never fall into the ocean and sink.
Because it is so far away from us, it will never come closer to us.
It will never come closer to us than any other object.
It will never come closer to us than any other object.
We have forgotten how to say "Hello."
We have forgotten how to say "Hello."
Our minds seem empty.
We have forgotten how to say "Hello."
The world seems full of sorrows and troubles.
Our minds seem empty.
We have forgotten how to say "Hello."
<|endoftext|>
"Lines Written During My First Year of Life", by Michael Farrell [Living, The Mind, Time & Brevity, Nature, Animals, Landscapes & Pastorals]
I was born blind.
My eyes were covered with my own hair.
My mother told me she gave birth to me blind.
She said I had no choice but to be blind.
I was born blind.
My father told me he gave birth to me blind.
He said I had no choice but to be blind.
I was born blind.
I was born blind.
My father said I had no choice but to be blind.
He said I have no choice but to be blind.
I