The Hero of Esthonia and Other Studies in the Romantic Literature of That CountryKirby, W. F. (William Forsell)
History
The Hero of Esthonia and Other Studies in the Romantic Literature of That Country
Kirby, W. F. (William Forsell)
Estonian literature; Estonian literature -- History and criticism
After the Kalevide's return from his journey, he resided at Lindanisa,
occupying himself with schemes for the good of his people. Olev had
built three more cities, in the north, west, and south of the country.
His friends advised the Kalevide to seek a bride in Kungla, and he
replied that they would first build a beautiful fortified city and rear
a magnificent house, and then he would follow their advice.
One day the Kalevide sat at a feast with his friends, and a
harper sang the adventures of Siuru, the blue bird,
[96] the daughter of Taara.
The Kalevide invited his friends to drink, and sang a song
relating how he had gone down to
[Pg 132]
the beach where two trees, the apple of fortune and the oak of
wisdom, grew in the sea. Here he found some girls who told him
that his little brother had fallen into the water. He waded
into the water to look for him, and saw a naked sword at the
bottom, which he was just about to grasp, when his sister
called from the shore to tell him that his father, mother,
brothers, and sisters were all dead or dying. He hurried home,
but it proved to be a hoax, for they were all alive and well.
The son of Sulev next sang a ditty relating an adventure with four coy
maidens, and the drinking and mirth continued.
And now messengers arrived in great haste, announcing that hostile
armies of Letts, Vends, and Poles had invaded the kingdom on all sides.
But the Kalevide bade his comrades empty their cups, while he himself
quietly gave general orders, and declared that to-morrow he would take
the field in person. Then he sang a song about two lovers.
While the Kalevide was thus drinking and singing, Varrak the
Laplander entered and embraced his knees. He called down
blessings from Ukko on
[Pg 133]
the hero, and then requested to receive the reward which had
been promised him, as he intended to set sail for home on the
morrow. The Kalevide asked him what he wished for; and he
answered that he had found a chained book in an iron cover,
which he wished to possess.
The Kalevide could not read the book, which nevertheless
contained all the priceless wisdom which his father had
recorded; and he willingly gave it to Varrak, notwithstanding
the loud protests of the sons of Sulev and Olev. The book was
fastened with three chains and three locks, and the keys could
not be found. Varrak knew very well where they were, but he
kept his knowledge to himself. So the Kalevide ordered the wall
to be broken down to release the book, which was then laid on a
waggon, and dragged by a yoke of oxen to the boat, which Varrak
had already loaded with bags of gold.
[97]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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