CURE FOR LEMMINKAINEN

CURE FOR LEMMINKAINEN

for the Kalevala show...

Tiny bee, thou honey-birdling, Lord of all the forest flowers,Fly away and gather honey, bring to me the forest-sweetness,Found in Metsola's rich gardens, and in Tapio's fragrant meadows,From the petals of the flowers, from the blooming herbs and grasses,Thus to heal my hero's anguish, thus to heal his wounds of evil." ...Thereupon the bee arising, from the earth flies swiftly upward,Hastens on with graceful motion, by his tiny wings borne heavenward,In the paths of golden moonbeams, touches on the Moon's bright borders,Fans the brow of Kootamoinen, rests upon Otava's shoulders,Hastens to the seven starletsm to the heads of Hetewanè,Flies to the Creator's castle, to the home of generous Ukko,Finds the remedy preparing, finds the balm of life distilling,In the silver-tinted caldrons, in the purest golden kettles;On one side, heart-easing honey, on a second, balm of joyance,On the third, life-giving balsam.Here the magic bee, selecting, culls the sweet, life-giving balsam,Gathers too, heart-easing honey, heavy-laden hastens homeward.Lemminkainen's mother quickly takes them on her, tongue and tests them,Finds a balsam all-sufficient, then the mother spake as follows:"I have found the long-sought balsam, found the remedy of Ukko,Where-with God anoints his people, gives them life, and faith, and wisdom,Heals their wounds and stills their anguish, makes them strong against temptation,Guards them from the evil-doers."