Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/234

Where the branches were the thickest
And the leaves were most abundant.390
“Then she rocked the charming object,
And she rocked the lovely creature
Underneath a spreading fir-tree,
Underneath a blooming pine-tree.
Thus it was the bear was nurtured,
And the furry beast was fostered,
There beside a bush of honey,
In a forest dripping honey.
“Now the bear grew up most handsome,
And attained his perfect stature.400
Short his legs, his knees were crooked,
Broad his nose, both thick and stumpy,
Broad his head and short his muzzle,
And his handsome hair was shaggy,
But as yet the bear was tailless,
And with claws was unprovided
“Mielikki, the forest’s Mistress,
Uttered then the words which follow:
‘Now let claws be granted to him,
And let teeth be also sought for,410
If he does no mischief with them,
Nor to evil purpose turns them.’
“Then the bear by oath engaged him,
Kneeling by the forest’s Mistress,
And in Jumala’s high presence,
’Fore the face of Him Almighty,
Never would he work a mischief,
And would work no evil with them.
“Mielikki, the forest’s Mistress,
Tapiola’s accomplished matron,420
Went to seek the teeth he needed,
And to seek the claws he wanted,
From the wood of mountain ash-tree,
And from juniper the hardest,
From the hardest roots of any,
From the hardest resinous tree-stumps,
But she found no claws among them,
Neither found she teeth among them.