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Runo XXXVI]
The Death of Kullervo
121

And a messenger o’ertook him,
In his ear these words he whispered:
“At thy home has died thy brother,
And thy parent’s child has perished.180
Now return to gaze upon him,
And arrange for his interment.”
Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,
Made him answer on the instant:
“Is he dead, so let him perish.
In the house there is a stallion,
Which unto the grave can drag him,
And can sink him down to Kalma.”
Through the marshes passed he, playing,
Blew his horn amidst the fir-woods,190
And a messenger o’ertook him,
In his ear these words he whispered:
“At thy home has died thy sister,
And thy parent’s child has perished.
Now return to gaze upon her,
And arrange for her interment.”
Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,
Made him answer on the instant:
“Is she dead, so let her perish.
In the house a mare is waiting,200
Which unto the grave can drag her,
And can sink her down to Kalma.”
Through the meadows marched he shouting,
In the grassfields he was shouting,
And a messenger o’ertook him,
In his ear these words he whispered:
“Now has died thy tender mother,
And thy darling mother perished.
Now return to gaze upon her,
And arrange for her interment.”210
Kullervo, Kalervo’s offspring,
Answered in the words which follow:
“Woe to me, a youth unhappy,
For my mother now has perished,
Wearied as she made the curtains,
And the counterpane embroidered.