A sad song sang Väinämöinen old magician, ancient sage, as his sleigh ran over the marsh, sped along the lake.
Around the bend another sleigh raced, full speed down the trail the young man pressed. No time no stop, no time to turn aside.
The horses swerved, the sleighs collided. Shaft wedged against shaft, harnesses entangled.
Astonished, they eyed each other, waited for words. The horses dripped sweat, pawed the ground.
Väinämöinen: (angrily) Young man! Who are you who drives so recklessly?
Joukahainen: (arrogantly) I'm Joukahainen. Old man, who are you who got in my way?
Väinämöinen: I'm Väinämöinen. Now move your sleigh and let me by, for youth must ever give way to age.
Joukahainen: That was in a time long past. Age must now make way for youth, for the young know more than the old!
Väinämöinen: (scoffing) Is this true? Say what you know, then. Share this great knowledge!
Joukahainen: (anxiously) Back in the beginning, the seas were dug out, and the mountains piled high. The pillars of the sky were erected, and the rainbow raised. The sun and moon were set on their paths, and the stars scattered in the sky.
Väinämöinen: Know yourself a fool. For I dug out the seas, and I piled high the mountains. I stood among the seven heroes who erected the pillars of the sky and raised the rainbow. And when that was done, we set the sun and moon on their paths, and scattered the stars in the heavens.
Joukahainen: (agitated) If my knowledge does not impress you, my sword may do better. Old man, draw your blade!
Väinämöinen: My sword stays where it is. I would not dirty it on you.
Joukahainen: (shouting) You won't fight? Then I'll use great magic on you! After that, I'll strike you dead, throw you on a dunghill!
Then Väinämöinen grew angry. He began to chant. The hearth shook, the sky rumbled. Water splashed from the lake, the stones cracked.
Väinämöinen chanted and the sword of Joukahainen became lightning bolts across the sky.
Väinämöinen chanted and the sleigh of Joukahainen became a log in the water.
Väinämöinen chanted and the coat of Joukahainen became a cloud in the sky.
Väinämöinen chanted and Joukahainen sank in the marshy ground, up to his waist in the swallowing earth.Teksty umieszczone na naszej stronie są własnością wytwórni, wykonawców, osób mających do nich prawa.
