Runo XLVI.—Väinämöinen and the Bear
Argument
The Mistress of Pohjola sends a bear to destroy the herds of Kalevala (1-20). Väinämöinen kills the bear, and a great feast is held in Kalevala in honour of the occasion (21-606). Väinämöinen sings, plays on the kantele, and hopes that a time of great happiness and prosperity is coming to Kalevala (607-644).
Unto Pohjola came tidings,
To the village cold the tidings
That in Väinöla ’twas healthy,
Freed was Kalevala completely
From the evil plagues of magic,
And the scourge of nameless sickness.
Louhi, Pohjola’s old Mistress,
Old and gap-toothed dame of Pohja,
Thereupon again grew furious,
And she spoke the words which follow:10
“Still I know another method,
And a cunning scheme have thought on.
On the heath the Bear I’ll waken,
On the waste the curving-clawed one,
Väinöla’s fine flocks to ravage,
Herds of Kalevala to slaughter.”
On the heath the bear she wakened,
From his native land she drove him
To the heathlands of Väinöla,
And to Kalevala’s green pastures.20
Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,
Uttered then the words which follow:
“Ilmarinen, smith and brother,
Make a new spear quickly for me,
Make it with three cutting edges,
With a copper shaft construct it.
With the bear I now must struggle,
Overthrow the shaggy monster,
