Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v2.djvu/276

Where the suffering one may rest her,
And the girl endure her suffering.”
But her father gave her answer,
Gave her back a shameful answer:
“Go thou forth from here, O strumpet,
Wander forth, O wench for burning,
To the bears’ own rocky caverns,
To the caves where bears are lurking,190
Thither forth to bear, O strumpet,
Bear thy children, wench of fire.”
Marjatta the petted damsel,
Then returned submissive answer:
“Not at all am I a strumpet,
Neither am a wench for burning;
I shall bear a mighty hero,
And shall bear a noble offspring,
He shall be a mighty conqueror,
Strong as even Väinämöinen.”200
Then the maid was greatly troubled
Where to go, and how to journey,
Where a bath she might provide her,
And she spoke the words which follow:
“O my little damsel Piltti,
Thou the best of all my handmaids,
Find me now a bath in village,
Find a bath near reed-fringed brooklet,
Where the suffering one may rest her,
And the girl endure her suffering.210
Go at once, and hasten quickly,
For my need is of the greatest.”
Then the little damsel Piltti,
Answered in the words that follow:
“Where am I to ask a bathroom,
Who will help me to obtain it?”
Thereupon did our Marjatta
Answer in the words which follow:
“Go and ask a bath from Ruotus,
Near where issues forth the Reed-brook.”220
Then the little maiden Piltti
Listened to her words obedient,