Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/136

I have gained what I have sought for,
And have won what most I longed for.
Now prepare the best of bolsters,
And the softest of the cushions,
In my native land to rest me,
With the young and lovely maiden.”370
Then his mother spoke as follows,
And in words like these expressed her:
“Now to Jumala be praises,
Praise to thee, O great Creator,
For the daughter thou hast sent me,
Who can fan the flames up brightly,
Who can work at weaving deftly,
And is skilful, too, in spinning,
And accomplished, too, in washing,
And can bleach the clothes to whiteness.380
“For thy own weal thank him also;
Good is won, and good brought homeward:
Good decreed by the Creator,
Good that’s granted by his mercy.
On the snow is fair the bunting,
Fairer yet is she beside thee;
White the foam upon the water,
Whiter yet this noble lady:
On the lake the duck is lovely,
Lovelier yet thy cherished darling;390
Brilliant is a star in heaven,
Brighter yet thy promised fair one.
“Let the floors be wide expanded,
And the windows widened greatly,
Let new walls be now erected,
All the house be greatly bettered,
And the threshold new-constructed,
Place new doors upon the threshold,
For the youthful bride beside you,
She, of all the very fairest,400
She, the best of all the maidens,
And the noblest in her lineage.”