NOTES TO RUNOS I—XXV
(These are by the translator, when not otherwise stated. K. K. indicates Prof. Kaarle Krohn, and A. M. Madame Aino Malmberg. For proper names, refer to the Glossary at the end of Vol. II.)
RUNO I
11. Kulta, “golden,” here rendered “dearest,” is a term constantly applied in the Kalevala to anything dear or precious.
20. “Pohja, the North, or Pohjola, the North Land, is chiefly used for the dark North, where the sun is hidden. Poetically used for a homestead in the Kalevala. Occasionally it is used as synonymous with Lapland.” (K. K.)
21. When singing to the accompaniment of a harp, two Finns clasp their hands together, and sway backwards and forwards, in the manner described in the text. Compare Acerbi’s Travels to the North Cape, I., chaps. xx. and xxiii., and the illustration opposite his Vol. I., p. 226.
61. Probably the honey of humble-bees (Bombus) is here meant, or the expression may be merely figurative.
63, 64. The metre allows the translation of the names of the cows to be inserted here.
110. Ilmatar, the Daughter of the Air;—tar is the usual feminine suffix in Finnish, and is generally to be understood to mean “daughter of ——.” In the following passages we have the combined Finnish version of the widespread cosmogonical myths of the Divine Spirit brooding over the waters of Chaos; and the Mundane Egg. In the First Recension of the Kalevala, however, and in many Finnish ballads, an eagle is said to have built her nest on the knees of Väinämöinen after he was thrown into the sea by the Laplander, and the Creation-Myth is thus transferred to him.
229-244. In the Scandinavian Mythology the world was created in a similar manner by Othin and his brothers from the body of the giant Ymir.
289. Vaka vanha Väinämöinen—these are the usual epithets applied to Väinämöinen in the Kalevala. “Vanha” means old; “vaka” is variously interpreted: I have used “steadfast” by Prof. Krohn’s advice, though I think “lusty” might be a better rendering.
320. The ring-finger is usually called the “nameless finger” in Finnish.
RUNO II
27. The Bird Cherry (Prunus Padus).
29. The Mountain Ash, or Rowan Tree, is a sacred tree in Finland, as in Scotland.
319
