"Both wise and holy, fitly men He taught That mortal folk the gods all honour owe. To seek to live like gods themselves they ought, And virtue pure with seemly goodness show. The evil ones, who deeply feared His strength, Rose up against Him in a demon pack. But Hell itself though fighting fierce at length, Yet could not stop His march nor hold Him back." "This hero rose from death upon the cross, He lived again and found surpassing fame. His fate well known will live and know no loss; In human parlance 'Christ' now is His name. Now, many peoples living on the Earth Accept His word but see not what portends; For humankind in shame denies His worth, His message twists to serve unworthy ends." "The Baltic too has reached the fateful hour When Strangers bring the faith once taught by Him- But ancient gods possess the boundless power To bend the mortal mind to suit their whim." The pledges of the gods Now Perkons rose, his strength at last to wield, And spoke: "Immortal and almighty both, Yet still the gods to Destiny's will must yield. But none the less I offer here this oath: In my strong care the Latvian folk I hold, And all good teachings here permit to stand. Though good, Christ's message clearly yet is old, For from the East these teachings reach our land." "But those who bear His message to our shores Have come to us to serve a different view. To conquer Baltic regions is their cause, To make our people slaves their purpose new. I will oppose their plan against our folk, And, surely as I split this mighty rock Or shake asunder trees of stoutest oak, This goal the Baltic folk will safely mock." "With passing time, its passage soon or late, My bolts of lightning on the foe will rain, On all who seek as slaves my people's fate And strive to crush our spirits for their gain.- But when the springtime comes with climate fair, To Latvia's folk sweet showers I will send, By day will give them clean refreshing air, And to the darkness sparks of light will lend." "To them in nature I will stay close by; My voice of thunder in the sky will ring. Of Perkons strong the name will never die; The Latvian folk will ever of it sing. I wish here now you other gods, apace, Will follow close upon my guiding will, And each one swear, at proper time and place, For humankind a promise to fulfil." Now Patrimps, speaking, rose and left his seat: "The Baltic is a fruitful, fertile land; I give its people golden ears of wheat, That, richly growing, ripen where they stand. The Latvians here from fecund Baltic fields Will gather in a harvest full and rich.- But foreign ploughs and sickles seeking yields Their blades will break upon the rock-strewn ditch."