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Runo XXXVI]
The Death of Kullervo
119

I will make me such a brother,
Head of stone, and mouth of sallow,
Eyes of cranberries I will make him,
Make him hair of withered stubble,100
Legs of willow-twigs will make him,
Flesh of rotten trees will make him.”
Then he spoke unto his sister,
“Now farewell, my dearest sister.
Shall you weep for my destruction,
If you hear that I have perished,
And have vanished from the people,
And have perished in the battle?”
But his sister gave him answer:
“Not for you shall I be weeping,110
If I hear that you have perished.
I will find myself a brother,
Better brother far than thou art,
And a brother far more clever.”
Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,
Answered in the words which follow:
“Nor for you shall I be weeping,
If I hear that you have perished.
I will make me such a sister,
Head of stone and mouth of sallow,120
Eyes of cranberries I will make her,
Make her hair of withered stubble,
Ears of water-lily make her,
And of maple make her body.”
Then he said unto his mother,
“O my mother, O my dearest,
Thou the fair one who hast borne me,
Thou the golden one who nursed me,
Shalt thou weep for my destruction,
Shouldst thou hear that I have perished,130
And have vanished from the people,
And have perished in the battle?”
Then his mother gave him answer,
And she spoke the words which follow:
“Not thou knowest a mother’s feelings,
Nor a mother’s heart esteemest.