That the posts be raised to guide us,
And the trees be blazed before us,630
For the most heroic people,
For the manly race of heroes.
“Grant, O Jumala, for ever,
Grant again, O good Creator,
That may sound the horn of Tapio,
And the forest-pipe may whistle
Even in this little courtyard,
Even in this narrow homestead.
“In the day may we be playing,
And at eventide rejoicing,640
In this firm and solid country,
In the wide expanse of Suomi,
With the young who now are growing,
With the rising generation.”
Runo XLVII.—The Robbery of the Sun and Moon
Argument
The moon and sun descend to listen to Väinämöinen’s playing. The Mistress of Pohjola succeeds in capturing them, hides them in a mountain, and steals the fire from the homes of Kalevala (1-40). Ukko, the Supreme God, is surprised at the darkness in the sky, and kindles fire for a new moon and a new sun (41-82). The fire falls to the ground, and Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen go to search for it (83-126). The Virgin of the Air informs them that the fire has fallen into Lake Alue, and has been swallowed by a fish (127-312). Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen try to catch the fish with a net of bast, but without success (313-364).
Väinämöinen, old and steadfast,
On his kantele was playing,
Long he played, and long was singing,
And was ever full of gladness.
In the moon’s house heard they playing,
Came delight to the sun’s window,
And the moon came from his dwelling,
Standing on a crooked birch-tree,
