No more delays to block them seemed; The North Wind sent no raging storm, As though the great Sea Mother deemed Their journey worthy to perform. The far horizon showed them clear, Thick forests that they joyful hailed, The shore rose up, drew ever near.- Into the Daugava's mouth they sailed. CANTO VI THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE INVADERS Scene 1: The Midsummer's Eve Festival The people come together and give thanks In Latvia now Midsummer came, Called forth its children with one word, The country over, all the same, Now "Ligo, Ligo," clear was heard! The nightingale with sweet refrain By every brook and streamlet trilled. Midsummer, Liga's Eve, again The carefree folk with pleasure filled. Up to the Azure Mountain borne, The logs burned bright, for fires thence hauled. The Ligusoni Priests' loud horn All to the festive evening called. And thence they came, both young and old, Both great and small, a happy throng. The men brought mead from honey gold, The wives brought cheese and bread along. The lads and lasses with them bore Soft grass and wreaths of flowers too, That on Midsummer's Eve all wore, Adorned themselves, and pleasure knew. They danced, they ate, they drank, And down their offerings put; The priests, the folk to thank, Led to the altar's foot, Poured goblets full of mead, Burned costly herbs and rare, Whose sweet aromas, freed, Rose swirling in the air. Together they all sang The famous songs and prayers, That to the goddess rang, And solace brought from cares: "With love we look to you, Ligo, Ligo, Linked here in friendship true, Ligo!" "Our humble farms now bless, Ligo, Ligo, Fill barns with your largesse, Ligo!" "Now saddle your grey horse, Ligo, Ligo! Ride round our fields your course, Ligo!" "Sow seeds of grass and grain, Ligo, Ligo, Fine barley grow again, Ligo!" "For meadow grass we pray, Ligo, Ligo, Our heifers give fine hay, Ligo!" "Let hay our heifers eat, Ligo, Ligo, Our colts feed oats grown sweet, Ligo!" "Make all the flowers grow, Ligo, Ligo, That on our hillsides blow, Ligo!" "Let maidens braid their hair, Ligo, Ligo, With wreaths of flowers fair, Ligo!" "Give young men on all sides, Ligo, Ligo, Hardworking beauteous brides, Ligo!" "To all our daughters yield, Ligo, Ligo, Strong men to till the field, Ligo!" "Come to our farmyards near, Ligo, Ligo, Your children visit here, Ligo!" "Guard us from evil's spell, Ligo, Ligo, That we may love you well, Ligo, Ligo, And of you we may tell, Ligo!" The ancestors' spirits call the people to live in harmony While rich the sound of song rose high Across the vale and woodland's tops, The shadows of their sires gone by Appeared within the sacred copse. Beneath the leafy oaks once more, To guard the people's soul they sped.- The priests these heroes passing saw, And reverent covered each his head.