When later fitting words he found at last,Then Spidala made answer in fair guise;The frightful swooning moment now was past.-The young man, heeding wisdom's counsel wise,Firm armed himself, though piercing looks flew fast,That burning shot from Spidala's dark eyes.
The night drew on; the fleeting time soon went,And Spidala, uneasy at the hour,Soon said she felt within her limbs the bentBefore the midnight's chime to seek her bower.And if Bearslayer too were weary spent,To bed she would direct him, in the tower.
The young man went, by Spidala struck deep,But by Aizkrauklis with "Rest well," consoled.She led the youth across the castle's keep,Into a jewelled bedroom hung with gold."This night in godlike comfort you will sleep,"She smiling said, "Bearslayer, hero bold."
Bearslayer gazed with wonder at the sight:As soft and fine as drifted snow the bed,With purple covers decked, and sheets of white,And trimmed all round with ribbons of blood red.Sweet-smelling breezes wafted through the night,And like enchantments circled round his head.
He stared at Spidala's lush beauty rare,Bewitching charms that drew his yearning praise.Forgetting straight all caution's wisdom there,The young man dared his arms to her to raise.At once a shadow dark flew through the air,And Spidala straight vanished from his gaze.-
The midnight sky a host of stars had brought;From heaven shone the moonlight's ghostly glow,That in the valley bars of silver wrought.Within his room the youth, with spirit low,Threw back his shutter, gazed out on the court,And heavy air breathed sadly, deep and slow.
Once more it seemed to him that in the airDark shadows high across the moon flew hence.Perhaps foul witches from the Devil's lairTo blackest work flew out, he knew not whence.At once Bearslayer firm resolved to dare,And seek how Spidala had gone from thence.
Spidala is revealed as a witch
Next morning soon the youth made this request:It pleased him in the castle there so well,He wished to stay a few short days as guest,There in his neighbour's pleasant halls to dwell.Aizkrauklis straight agreed that he should rest,With pleasure felt his heart begin to swell.
As night there deepened, Spidala soon said:"Our guest the castle's passages now knows,And when he wants can go alone to bed."She left the room and wished them sweet repose!To follow her Bearslayer then was led,And full of purpose from the table rose.
But afterwards he crept back down below,Outside within the courtyard dark to wait,From whence his watching eyes could clearly showWho through the doorway passed in darkness late.-At midnight hour the portal opened slow,And Spidala came out with silent gait.
Her body clad in clothing deepest black;Her feet with golden shoes were firmly bound;Her hair hung loosened free around her back;Her eyebrows arched, her gaze was to the ground.Her eyes he saw, where burning did not lack,Her hand gripped tight a magic staff around.
A twisted log lay at the courtyard's rim,And Spidala climbed up upon it high.She spoke a spell and three times struck the limb,Firm with her staff she smote its surface dry.And, answering the hissing witch's whim,At once the log rose up into the sky.
Long stood Bearslayer at the courtyard's verge,For Spidala's return he looked in vain;To seek her out he felt a mighty urge,To see the Devil with the witch in train.But such a task beyond his strength would surge,And so he went back to his room again.
By morning's light within the courtyard still,He saw the log back in its former place;And looking close he saw with firming will,Within the log an empty hollow space,A space a man could crawl in and not fill.-At once a purpose formed for him apace.
Next evening Spidala set off to bed.Bearslayer swiftly hastened to his room;He put his cap of marten on his head,With sword in hand sought out the courtyard's gloom,And, watching out for Spidala's light tread,Concealed himself within the log's dark womb.
Again at midnight hour she left her cell,And in her garments black her body dressed.Astride the log she spoke a magic spell,Struck with her staff, and then at her behest,The branch bore both to where he could not tell,Above Aizkraukle's forests on her quest.
The Devil digs the pit
At time's beginning, so is often told,To birds and beasts gave Perkons stern commands,To dig the Daugava, come from nature's fold,To gnaw, to scratch, to peck in toiling bands.Alone the peacock sat and did not work.-The Devil, passing by, then asked the bird:"Where is the place the other creatures lurk?""They dig for Perkons," answer then he heard.
"But why," he asked, "do you not labour too?""To save my yellow feet," the peacock said!Then to the river bird and Devil flew,And dug a chasm in the torrent's bed,Which down into this pit poured straight away.-From fear all creatures lost the power of speech;They all commenced to run and jump and bray,And each one found a voice with which to screech.
The bears roared fierce, the wolves and dogs all howled,The pigs made grunts, the oxen lowed unmuted,The horses neighed, the strident cats all yowled,The blackbirds shrieked, the owls all harshly hooted.The cuckoos called, the hornets made a hum,The little birds sang loudly all around!-The noise rose up, a riot of such sum,That, high in Heaven, Perkons heard the sound.
He soon grew angry with the Devil's wit,Cast lightning down and blocked the water's track;A hill with high steep slopes enclosed the pit-Since then the peacock's golden feet are black!
Today the people all avoid this place.Should travellers in the night risk passing still,Their eyes behold foul spirits in the space,That now is called the "Devil's Dark Pit Hill."
They enter the pit
Straight Spidala swooped down to this dread place,Across the starlit sky flown swiftly thence.Bearslayer crouched within the log's dark space,And struggled for his breath with swooning sense.Fierce fork-tailed dragons coiled around them there,With gold and treasure flying through the night,And breathed their fiery sparks into the air,While other witches joined them in the height.
If but a movement caught the witches' view,To save his life no mercy would be found.-Down to the Devil's Pit the witches flew,And planted each her staff into the ground.A dozen staffs stood upright by the hill,Twelve witches entered in the Devil's Pit.Soon bold Bearslayer had regained his will,And entered too the cavern through a slit.
Within the pit a thick deep darkness reigned,And round his head bats fluttered in the gloom;Until at length a glimpse of light he gained,And, going further, saw a lofty room.All kinds of things inside were found in store,Too many far the name for each to learn:With skulls and bones, and teeth and pelt and claw,With mounted heads and antlers all in turn.
Round ladles, cauldrons, wooden bowls and pots,And dippers, wicker baskets, mortars, urns,Great hammers, pitchforks, rakes, in heaping lots,Cartwheels, old whetstones, broomsticks scorchedwith burns,Black books and parchments that all good defiled.A corner dim held plants and dried-up grass;On shelves stood boxes next to baskets piled,With herbs and potions stored in jars of glass.
Upon the hearth a sullen fire dull burned,And in its light the walls unpleasant glowed;Hung from a crooked hook a cauldron churned.The fire's pale gleams foul toads and black cats showed,While in the corners snakes writhed round the room,And through the smoke flew bats and jet-black owls.-Bearslayer started, hidden in the gloom,When all at once the creatures all made howls!
They hissed, and croaked, they whistled, such a roar!And soon a crone, a witch all old and bowed,Into the chamber entered through a door,Who, since the room seemed empty, called aloud:"What foul ill wind has brought base spirits here?When clear is known that all who tread this placeA broken neck and dreadful fate must fear!"These words the creatures silenced in a trace.
The witch then took a ladle in her hand,And going to the cauldron thrust it in:"The time has come to supper to command.The meat is cooked. The meal can now begin."And thrice upon the cauldron's side she beat.The twelve came in, a place for each reserved,Their portion was a sausage and some meat.-Bearslayer thought that suckling pig was served.
A door into a second chamber led;This room held but a chopping block alone.The walls and ceilings like the floor were red,And on the block a blood-red axe was thrown.The room was starkly empty but for this.And further yet there led another door.-Into this open chamber, without miss,The witches went with bowls of meat, he saw.
Horrors are revealed
Bearslayer followed silently behind,And through the door he saw a chamber bright,With pallid chairs and tables it was lined,And all the walls were of a colour light.Two stoves of like pale colour at one side,One glowed with coals, and one held beans of white.The witches at their meal he here espied;Who ate in deathly silence every bite.
Again, a door a lofty room clear showed,Where vaulted ceilings stood on pillars tall,And all the room with golden colour glowed;Inside the room he saw twelve beds in all.-The sated witches each removed her dish,Cleared up the table, swept the bones from view."Into the kitchen," was the old one's wish,"And sharpened sight my spells will give to you."
"Your suitors soon will come hence to this place,And all the brides should thus themselves prepare."On hearing this, the youth went back apace,Hid in the kitchen, in the corner there.-The old one took a pot of powder then,And brushed it in their eyes with touches light.Then afterwards they all went out again;Their eyes, enchanted, now were glowing bright.
Bearslayer sought for Spidala at last,But still her form he could not recognize.The pot of powder he had noted fast,And with its contents smeared himself his eyes.-It was as though a veil fell from his sight,And now he saw unblinded, without whims:Still in the cauldron, from the meal that night,There lay the scraps of little children's limbs!
And where he thought a sausage to have seen,Were foul black snakes, boiled squirming in their gore.In that red chamber, where he first had been,Of copper pure were ceiling, walls and floor.And on the block the axe was copper too,Although its use he did not understand.-Of silver pure the second room on view,Both chairs and tables, lanterns, all at hand.
What seemed like stoves were silver chests, he saw,In one gold jewels, the other precious pearls.Still further, gazing through the final door,He saw the ceiling glittered gold in swirls,Of gold the beds between the pillars tall.-Back in the silver room the robes they bore,As in a bath-house, down each witch let fall;Just golden slippers on their feet they wore.
From cupboards now the old one gave the girlsBejewelled broaches, bracelets for their arms,And dressed their hair with softly shining pearls.A wonder to the youth, for with her charmsNow Spidala among the witches too,Revealed herself in all her beauty there.Fair were the witches: To his wondering view,They all possessed a devilish beauty rare.
Thus fine adorned they took their robes in handAnd to the copper chamber hastened fast,Where round the log they gathered in a band,While Spidala her robe upon it cast.Then, taking up the axe she struck it there,And spoke these words aloud in hissing tone:"Today as first I strike the block full square-Tomorrow to this deed I will not own."
Forth from the log a demon's form was led,Clad as a lord, whom Spidala took hence,They sought the golden room, and chose a bed.The others did the same, and soon from thenceWith lovers to the other room were gone.Each lordling wore a coat of velvet black,Three-cornered hat and boots that brightly shone,But from their ears small horns grew in the back.
Kangars promises to serve the Devil
The old one struck the log, now left alone,And boldly said: "Today I strike as last-Tomorrow to this deed I will not own."At this, with howling, Lucifer came fast.The greatest chief of witch and devil too,A cap of human fingernails he wore."Is all prepared?" he sought the old one's view."All ready, Lord," the crone then answered sure.
Then Lucifer struck hard with action bold,And in a trice the chamber filled with flameThat turned the log into a carriage gold,The axe a dragon harnessed to the same.The two then rode together through the door,And sought the golden chamber, in which spotThe dragon lay and rested on the floor,And from its mouth both smoke and flame forth shot.
The younger witches, summoned by the sound,All greeted Lucifer in prancing pack;They entered then the kitchen at a bound,Seized pitchforks in their hands, and hastened back,The pitchforks heated in the dragon's throat,And then all made a ring around the coach.The old witch stood and with her staff firm smoteAnd cried "Come forth!" in tones of sour reproach.
At this, at once a wall burst open wide,And hairy demons forth a man now brought,Who, deathly pale, was led in at their side;The witches formed a ring to seek their sport.-On seeing him, Bearslayer too knew fear;It was the famous holy man and good,As Kangars known, a hermit who lived near,Up on the hills, within a mighty wood.
With monstrous voice foul Lucifer then swore:"Oh sinner, know your course is run this day;Your wage receive now in the dragon's maw-The pitchforks of the witches show the way."
But Kangars, prone, made pleadings to implore:"Prolong, oh Lord, my life a tiny span,And I will truly serve your will once more."-A moment's thought and Lucifer began:"In vain your begging, but my urgent plightCould save your life and further time ensure:The faith of Perkons yields a harvest light,A daunting task, their souls to us to lure."
"A gift of fortune that to Baltic landsA foreign force is coming from the west,That seeks to seize the Baltic in its hands.To plant an alien faith-this is their quest.I too desire to see that faith sown free,Because its growth will yield a harvest sure,For many priests already cleave to me,The bearers of the faith, whom all think pure."
"This task I give you: Help that faith to come,And spread it wide upon the Baltic shore.Of years I give you three times nine in sum!So swear, oh traitor, on this dragon's maw,The faith of Perkons wholly to eschew,And be a traitor, with the folk at odds.You must destroy the heroes tried and true,And bring in priests who serve strange foreign gods."
"Go urge the people Strangers to obey,And burn and slaughter all who would oppose.Your final goal: That slavery hold sway.Do thus, and live until the day I chose."
False Kangars echoed all with solemn vow:To Lucifer he gave his yielding praise,And made an oath unbreakable, and nowAll looked at Kangars with a kindly gaze.
Here Lucifer announced the night at end.Together with the witches he strode sure,Into the copper room his way to wend.The ancient witch the black-clad lovers boreOut to the field, then sank into the ground.Down to the earth the bowing witches bent;In surging sulphur flames forth at a bound,Vile Lucifer with thunderous roaring went.
Bearslayer is discovered
Bearslayer left his hiding place to go,And, passing through the rooms, he took with himA document he saw, as proof to showHis presence there to witness evil grim.Although his fear grew less in starlit light,Regret and bitter feelings seized his heart.-Within the log once more he hid from sight,While Spidala to journey home made start.
And as they flew, the crone her news revealed:"Bearslayer saw our feast this night," she said,"And watched your lovers, in the room concealed."-Straight Spidala grew pale and then turned red.In her impassioned heart love's traces died,And wicked hatred in her breast hard smote."Why did you not say sooner? Then his prideHad ended in the dragon's fiery throat!"
"Our master chose not thus to interfere,Because Bearslayer's life will soon be done.He hopes your log will bring him home from here-Instead your course to Staburags will run,With Sereniete thence flying fast.Through magic's spell then on her log escape,Your own into the whirlpool downward cast,From whence comes forth no-one of human shape."
Bearslayer meets Laimdota
Divinely worshipped Staburadze fair,With jewelled adornments on her robes decked roundBut with a weight of sorrow and deep care,From Destiny's Council home her path had found.Upon the Daugava's bank she bitter weeps,For Latvia mourns, the land she loves so well,That Staburags's might eternal sleeps,And lonely she with mortal folk must dwell.
When future ages come, will she still weepAnd mourn the Baltic people's bitter lot,When from the very people she loves deepTheir ancient fame has passed and been forgot?-
But where our grandsires' faith still holds firm sway,She plays a part in life that never stops:On freezing morn she melts the frost away,And saves from harm the ploughman's tender crops.She warns the boatmen at the midnight moon,Lest they should fall into the whirlpool's grip.To shepherds and to travellers at the noon,She gives from bubbling springs a cooling sip.
Since time began, one task she loves of all:She seeks chaste maids born on propitious days,And gives them shelter in her palace hall.She guards their virtue with her wisdom's ways,And teaches them, gives gifts, and clothes to wear.-Good fortune stands upon the mother's side,Into whose hearth there comes, surpassing fair,From "Staburadze's maidens" now a bride.
Bearslayer's senses woke apace:He lay in Staburadze's bed,And gazed in wonder round the place,And pondered whence his path had led.
To him the bed seemed soft to sway,As though it rocked on gentle tides.The crystal walls revealed the day,As blue-tinged light passed through their sides.
The room was rich with objects rare,A host of gold and silver bright;In pristine state each treasure there.Their beauty was a wondrous sight.
Remembering, Bearslayer lay,And thought how with a witch he flew;When through the opening door's displayA beauteous damsel came in view.
Her face and form were sweet to sight,That at a glance was plain to see.Like silver moonbeams in the night,Adorned with poppies, thus was she.
Her dark blue eyes at his first look,Seemed gentle as the dawn's soft light;But when a closer glance he took,Their whirling depths now met his sight.
Her clothing's folds of pale sky-blue,Close to her body brushing clung.Her glowing hair fell freely too;Down to her knees in locks it hung.
On seeing her, Bearslayer thoughtA goddess now was in the room.To stand and greet her straight he sought,To thank his saviour from the tomb.
But this the maid would not allow,And said his strength was sure to lack.So harsh his fate had been, and nowHis body's strength was not yet back.
"Oh heavenly being, tell me true:What place is this? Where am I now?I beg you, tell me, who are you?To pay you honour, this I vow"
"Of 'Staburadze's maidens' I,Her Crystal Palace home this here;Cast in the whirlpool down to die,She rescued you and brought you clear."
Bearslayer knew a joy profoundThat seemed to fill his breast and mind:The maiden's charm now knew no bound,For she was born of humankind.
She brought in food for him to eat:She gave to him both milk and bread,A fitting meal with honey sweet,Then from the room departing sped.
Bearslayer recovers and leaves Staburags
Time passed until one day, again,He woke and donned his clothes aright.The door soon opened wide and then,Fair Staburadze came in sight.
Politely then she bade him tell,If rest had brought his strength of yore.Bearslayer bowed and thanked her well,And then a fervent wish he swore:
He yearned to stay within her courtThere with the goddess long to dwell.A secret look her eyes then brought,On hearing what he had to tell.
"We will, perhaps, meet as you ask;Eternity were not then long.But first you have the gods' stern task,A lifetime charge to right the wrong."
"To strive in virtue's noble cause,To serve your homeland and your folk,To seek for fame without a pause,To free their breast from sorrow's yoke."
With joy Bearslayer's eyes then glowed.He spoke with youthful courage grand:"I thank the gods for having showedThis way to serve my Fatherland."
"New strength I have, all to perform,Since I have seen now, face to face,The heavenly Staburadze's form,Most beautiful of female race."
"Unswerving goals to me impart,And guide my aim as targets near.""I grant you both with all my heart,"Said Staburadze smiling clear.
"Heroic youth, harsh is your lot:To fight these foes of false renown.The hidden ones dark secrets plot:Strike Spidala and Kangars down."
"This little mirror with you take,To keep and hold, a sign of me.When evil ones grave danger make,Quick hold it up for them to see."
"Their power will fail at your behest,When they the face of Perkons view!"And Staburadze, from a chest,As gift for him a mirror drew.
She gave it, but a warning brought,To keep it and to guard it true.Bearslayer thanked her, but more sought:A keepsake from the maiden too.
The maiden blushed and then her handA ribbon loosened from her hair,His cap adorned then with this band,And, glancing shyly, spoke out fair:
"Although of gifts I have no store,My talisman I grant this day;In kinship now I greet you sure,And wish good fortune on your way."
Bearslayer, touched, no words could findTo thank the maiden with full truth.Then Staburadze spoke her mind:"Now hasten forth, heroic youth."
"The cliff-top path I now will show,Out through the Crystal Palace gate.This maiden as Laimdota know,To meet again will be your fate."
"With acorn pattern in its weave,She gave a ribbon from her hair,Perhaps to that more wonders cleave,Than to my mirror that you bear."
Bearslayer at the door turned slow,Regarding then Laimdota keen.It seemed that in her eyes' deep glow,Unbidden tears were plainly seen.-
For further thought it was too late,His consciousness from him had flown.He fell down at the castle gate,And on the ground lay turned to stone.
Perkons restores Bearslayer to life
The sun's first light already glowed;Upon the Daugava's banks it lay.The sky was clear and plainly showedFair weather for the coming day.
But yet one cloud now took its course,That higher climbed above the land;And at its front, upon a horse,An old man rode, with whip in hand.
He let run loose the prancing grey,To Staburags's cliff it dashed;His whip he cracked and straight awayGreat bolts of lightning brightly flashed.
Vast thunderclaps in deep tones rumbled,And Staburags shook to its core,Along the cliff the boulders crumbled:-Bearslayer stood, alive once more!
He found it hard, clear to recall,And real the memories did not seem.One thing he knew, despite the pall:It had not happened in a dream.
Two lessons in his mind were thereThat left in him a knowledge sure:The trap of evil woman's snare,And noble woman's virtue pure.
Henceforth he swore his back to turnAgainst the first and passion's chains,The second's deep respect to earn,Through noble tasks and endless pains.
Bearslayer performs another mighty feat
Now climbing down, where through the banksThe Perse flows, a crowd he spied,A group of people from whose ranksA boat was lowered in the tide.
They wished to cross, but none was fitWith strength enough to pull the oar.If room there were for him to sit,Alone to row Bearslayer swore.-
They boarded fast, the boat was full,Hard rowed the young man then for shore:But after just the first stroke's pull,He found he held a broken oar.
Without control the ferry tossed,Downriver drove the torrent's swirl.The people knew that all was lost,With death before their eyes awhirl.
Bearslayer did not pause to scheme,But straight away rowed with his hand;And, thrusting strong against the stream,Their course directed to the land.
Across the Daugava's waves they foughtAnd reached the other side at length!-The people were by wonder caught,And praised Bearslayer's mighty strength.
A young man on the bank paid heed,Who from the forest hauled a tree.He saw Bearslayer's mighty deedAnd to the hero thus spoke free:
"Here as 'Koknesis' I am known,'The mighty youth' is how I'm called,For from the woods, I have aloneGreat logs upon my shoulder hauled."
"To build a fortress here we work,Where Perse in the Daugava flows;A refuge strong when dangers lurk,To save us from our many foes."
Bearslayer made a friendly bowAnd told the youth his own great name,To Aizkraukle that he went now,And what the purpose why he came.
They soon were friends and made a rule,With him Koknesis too would ride;The two in Burtnieks's schoolWould learn great wisdom side by side.
Spidala swears revenge, but they reach Burtnieks
When Spidala the next day sawBearslayer healthy in full viewApproaching close her castle's door,It can be thought what fear she knew.
She asked her father that aloneThe coming guests he would receive,And since her heart was heavy grown,To her own chamber she would cleave.
Bearslayer too had no more useTo meet false Spidala once more,And so he made a good excuse,When Aizkrauklis threw wide the door:
His journey hence had known delay,And to depart was now his whim;The forests had concealed his way,Until Koknesis rescued him.
Old Aizkrauklis had different views:Bearslayer was a welcome sight.His wish had been to send forth newsTo Lielvarde of his plight.
And so disturbed he stared back hard,But brought out, at the youth's behest,His saddled colt into the yard,And sent him forth upon his quest.
False Spidala watched with a glareAnd in her eyes a madness grew:"Ride to the east," she threatened there,"And my revenge will follow you!"-
Next evening they arrived at duskIn Burtnieks's learnèd court,Where he received them asking brusque,From whence they came and what they sought.
The young men told him of their need,His father's words Bearslayer passed;With friendship Burtnieks agreed-They were his pupils now at last!
Kangars learns that Bearslayer was in the Devil's Pit
Upon the hills the forests gloomy soughed,In mountain passes swamp mists blocked the light,Dread serpents writhed and savage beasts roared loud,While frightened owls called lonely in the night:For travellers this was a fear-filled ground.-Beside a narrow path, that marked the way,And past the swamps and hills its passage found,The house of falsely pious Kangars lay.
The day's last penitent sought grace to earn,And soon received an absolution sureFrom sins of every kind and sufferings stern,Then Kangars lit his lamp and closed his door.He put the people's offerings with his hoard,Piled in a chamber other things to join;A room in which, in chests and boxes stored,Lay finest hides and gold and silver coin.
He muttered as he bent at these to peer:"How truly evil if the Fiend that night …!But have I now perhaps bought life too dear?The burdens of Hell's service are not light!But evil deeds the witches close protect,And from the folk great honour I command.In ignorance the people show respect,That gives me greater strength than wealth or land!"
"I have no mind to join that hero bandThat suffers hunger, need and hardships great,While striving for the folk and Fatherland."Thus speaking, Kangars went in through his gate.-That night, he heard a whirlwind raging round,While distant evening thunder rumbled dour.Upon his door then came a knocking sound;He opened it, while wondering at the hour.
Then Spidala came in, all finely dressed,Not like a witch but in a lady's state."Good evening, uncle," greetings she expressed,"No visitor is usual here so late?"-"None was expected," Kangars answered sure."The greater then the pleasure I can show,To greet my beauteous neighbour at my door.Does all go well? The answer I would know."
"All is not well," false Spidala replied,"Some mighty force opposes firm our will.To ask your help I've come," the witch then cried,"Yet can our powers combined our goals fulfil!"She then told Kangars that Bear Slayer saw,And in the pit observed the work they wrought,But though cast down in Staburags's maw,Was yet alive, and Burtnieks now sought.
Close Kangars listened then, and felt great fear,And anger too that witness there had been,Whose words to ill-repute could bring him near:Bearslayer must not tell what he had seen!Now Kangars spoke: "Oh Spidala, you tellOf young Bearslayer in the pit, and showThe gods protect him now and guard him well;This makes him even stronger as our foe."
"For his defeat we need a different scheme,To let this rash young man himself betray,And seek out death, pursuing fame's sweet dream;Example I will show you of the way.For years upon our hills our foes no moreThe giant, Kalapuisis, employ.Word we will send to Peipus Lake's far shore,The time is ripe, in Latvia to destroy."
"The Latvians I will urge to go to war.-I know Bearslayer bold will not delay,But in a fearless mood will go once more,With Burtnieks to struggle in the fray,Although they know that death will follow sure,If Kalapuisis they meet and fight.On Latvian soil no warrior can endureAgainst the dread Estonian giant's might."
Perkons sends a storm to kill the Germans, but they are rescued
Then Spidala would thank him, but all roundThe whole room glowed with fire, and thunder crashed.It rocked the house and shook the trembling ground;A storm broke out and rainstorms downward slashed.The wild bears roared, the wolves all howled in fright,And from the swamps they heard the night birds call.In all of nature terror reigned that night,When lightning sent by Perkons lashed the squall.
Both pale as corpses witch and warlock shook.Their fear was greater than the forest kind's,Because they knew that Perkons would not brook,Nor bear the vice of evildoers' minds.Then Kangars spoke: "You cannot go tonight!Until the storm subsides, here must you bide."He closed the windows and put out the light,Into the darkness drew the witch inside.
They covered up their heads, crept into bed,And hoped the storm would end, but feared profound,For clap on clap of thunder still it bred,And on the hills smashed oak trees to the ground.In truth, the Baltic gods fought hard that night.The lightning sent by Perkons split the sky,And Antrimps threw up waves of mountain's height-To meet the clouds he made the waters fly!
Meanwhile, nearby the storm had seized a shipThat mastless drove before the wind and rain,And soon with all beneath the waves would slip:The people cried for help, but all in vain.Decreed by Perkons, death was close at hand.-But Fate to human will free choice affords;The Livian folk who dwelt upon the landRash saved the Strangers, soon to be their lords!
To end this night the morning sun rose red.On rising, Kangars saw his guest slept on:"So wild a storm I have not seen," he said,"A frightful night! How good that it is gone.To kill the Devil Perkons now would please!"Outside, the roof lay torn off on the ground,While in the yard criss-crossed lay broken trees,As filled with wonder Kangars gazed around.
Then on the narrow path two men came near;He watched them quickly walking to the gate.One was a Riga fisherman was clear,With him a stranger pale, in weary state,Who wore long robes, a cross around his neck.-The fisherman told Kangars of the night,And how they saved the people from the wreck;Among them was this man all garbed in white.
The stranger wished to speak now with their lord,And thus the man to Kangars he had brought,Who better knew than he what to afford.-Within the Stranger's eyes now Kangars sought,And see, their souls communed across the seas!The people's tongue the Stranger could employ:"By 'Dietrich' called, as priest my God I please,Who sent His Son to bring the world great joy."
"To trade we travelled to the Baltic shores,Although the wreck has made this goal in vain-Our God we thank, whose mercy is our cause-And here my people helpless must remain,Until a German ship the way is shown.Thus, with a leader now I wish to meet."In welcome Kangars spoke: "Your goal is known.Fear not-your God's new presence here I greet."
"Although we do not trust each other's mind,In mighty Kaupa's castle, that lies near,Your welcome message fertile soil will find!But rest today with me, cast off your fear,Although the Baltic gods are mighty too!"-Here Spidala rose up and joined the round;They talked at length of many topics new,Until the way to friendship deep was found.
Bearslayer goes to war against Kalapuisis
The years passed by in peaceful Baltic lands:Great changes came and much Bearslayer learned.From Burtnieks he heard of warriors' fame,And with Koknesis knightly wisdom earned.Bearslayer read the ancient books with greed.-They opened up deep knowledge well-springs clear,That told of worldly life and human need;Rest at the end, eternal spirits near.
The talisman that on his hat he woreStayed by him and surprising fortune brought,When "Staburadze's maid" he met once more,The fair Laimdota, daughter of the court.For noble goals, in her he reason found,For toiling too for Burtnieks the lord.And in his heart love flared beyond all bound,While in Laimdota too her spirit soared.
They often met, and in the evenings' glowTogether walked upon the lakeside shore.She told him of a castle sunk below,And tales about the Burtnieks of yore.-To win the maiden's hand Bearslayer sought,But from the hills the message came in haste,That Kalapuisis great havoc wrought,By striking down the folk and laying waste.
Fear seized them all, for none could hope to stand,Who in the hills should face the giant's might.Old Burtnieks sent news across the land:The hero who could save them from this plightMight claim as bounty any wish he made,Laimdota's hand, if even that he chose.Bearslayer then from Burtnieks leave prayed,And with Koknesis sought to face the foes.
Old Burtnieks refused their wish at length,Moved by the danger they would surely face,But, knowing well the measure of their strength,At last he gave his blessing with good grace.-Soon, riding dashing colts, with sword in hand,Into the hills they went to right the wrong;Sent forth as saviours in the field to stand,By youths and maidens and the sound of song.
Halfway they met swift riders seeking aid;To Burtnieks a message grim they brought:Estonian foes had made a border raid,And burned and killed, and thus his help they sought.They asked for aid from Burtnieks's Lord,And knew that his agreement would be found;If they should fight against Estonia's horde,To send his men he was by honour bound.
What best to do the youths had to decide.-They settled soon, since time was not to lose,That one of them to Burtnieks would ride,And with the hasting riders bring the news.This task Koknesis took now, saying plain:"Alone, Bearslayer, triumph realize,And so Laimdota's hand in marriage gain.I know your love, and will not seek the prize."
Bearslayer defeats Kalapuisis and befriends him
Beside his wood-framed hut, high on the hill,Sat Kalapuisis and ate a calf,Then with a suckling pig consumed his fill.Beside him lay his club, a mighty staff,A tree trunk with a millstone on it bound.-On seeing bold Bearslayer riding past,He seized his club and swung the weapon round,So fast it caused a whirlwind's swirling blast.
The giant laughed, asked if his mother dearKnew he had come, untimely death to face.Bearslayer answered that the hour was near,When giants in the world would have no place;To Pakols, therefore, he would show the course!In answer then his club the giant cast,And sent Bearslayer tumbling, while his horseInto the swamp with tangled club fled fast.
Bearslayer sprang up safe, swift at a bound,Then drew his sword, and struck a mighty blow,That brought the giant tumbling to the ground.The giant grasped a pine in falling low,With branch and roots the tree trunk loose he tore,Which falling pinned him down across his chest!-Bearslayer did not let him rise once more,But made to strike his head off from his breast.
"Heroic youngster wait," the giant cried,"Before I die allow me moments moreTo speak some words that may assuage your pride.Were you the babe a savage she-bear bore?My mother told: When, from the Daugava's bankA bear-cub comes, sent here to fight with me,A fit opponent with a worthy rank,The Baltic tribes will soon once more be free."
"The sea will bring dread monsters to our shore,In iron clad, and full of boundless greed;All living creatures, crops, and soil and more,They will devour to sate their endless need!-It is not wise in such a circumstanceTo strive in war, and in the monsters' handsThus give our folk. This promise I advance:An endless peace shall reign between our lands."
"Forth I will go and both our shores guard fast,That, while I live, unwanted from the west,The strangers will not come. And at the last,When life is done, in Zunda I will rest."Bearslayer quickly offered him his hand,That Kalapuisis might gain his feet,And said: "Henceforth let peace between us stand!Though on the plain in war our peoples meet."
"But we will now ensure their rage is spent;Between our lands this war shall be the last."They bound his wound, then to the valley went,And soon the cruel Estonian war was past.-But where the giant fell and wounded bledRemains impressed a pit into the hill,That yet today is called the "Giant's Bed",And buried in the swamp his club lies still.
Bearslayer and Laimdota plight their troth in song
All sweetly singing, forth Laimdota cameWith other maidens through the castle gate,To greet the heroes and to mark their fame,When Burtnieks's men were saved by Fate,And homeward rode, safe from Estonia's war.With oak-leaf crowns the maidens decked each brow-Alone, Laimdota's wreath Bearslayer bore,And with this song she made a solemn vow:
"The oaks still grow on Latvia's ground,With sturdy branch and jagged leaf.Still in our folk are heroes found,Who guard our land with strong belief;We deck their brows with oak-leaves round,And sing their praise and show no grief."
"Sing of Bearslayer in our lore,The giant fell at his strong stroke.There in the hills the youth struck sure,To save us from Estonia's yoke.The foe destroys our land no more,No village burns nor daunts the folk."
"Our brethren safe their fields will till,And brew their beer at autumn-tide.To newly-weds with joy we willIn song and dance success and pride.Bearslayer's quest I shall fulfil,And be his virtuous, upright bride."
With joyous heart Bearslayer heard these lines,They filled his soul with feelings deep and grave.He sought to show the maiden his designs,And with this song his answer pure he gave:
"Where stout oaks grow the linden thrives-Where heroes dwell are damsels pure;The Latvian warrior proudly strives,That in our land fair maids endure.And willingly men give their lives,The Fatherland defending sure."
"In guarding Latvia's maidens fair,They earn their oak-leaf crowns anew,The foemen's strokes unyielding bear.Then Laima brings their bride to view.-Oh fair Laimdota, beauty rare,I pledge to live and die for you."
Moved by the youthful people's greeting song,Soon Burtnieks himself to sing began.-In warrior hearts the joyous mood was strong,And brotherhood stirred deep in every man.All bade Laimdota enter through the door,A meal awaited there the heroes bold;At Burtnieks's order there was more,For mead was served to greet them to the fold.
When then Laimdota served them the drink she brought,Bearslayer found that all there pleased him dear.For in their toasts his future joy they sought,And with their words his destiny's path made clear:-The evil plot to kill the gallant boyWas by the will of all the gods made vain,And turned from grief into a larger joy,From which Bearslayer endless fame would gain.
Bearslayer finds his way into the Sunken Castle
Time passed: One evening down Bearslayer wentInto the stronghold's massive crypt alone,Where learnèd volumes safe the ages spent.-He saw, half open in the floor of stone,A trapdoor that he had not seen before.He took a lantern, wanting now to know,And looked inside where, dropping from the door,A narrow flight of steps led down below.
He took the stair into a cavern deep;Within the earth he strode a tunnel through,Until he reached an ancient castle's keep,Which, from the distance he had walked, he knewBeneath the middle of the lake must lie.Within the rooms were many things on show-Old scattered weapons caught Bearslayer's eye-And in one chamber shone a lantern's glow.
He slowly entered in, where chests he sawAnd shelves with ancient volumes heavy grown,And wooden tablets carved with words of yore.-There in the centre, on a slab of stone,A lantern dimly burned, and by its lightHe saw a woman, parchment in her hand,Who did not mark Bearslayer come in sight,As, deep in thought, the document she scanned.
But as he neared, by chance she turned her head."Laimdota!" then Bearslayer joyful cried."Forgive that I disturb your thoughts," he said,"For me to meet you here gives greater prideThan some fair goddess in a wondrous place.Within the vault I found the secret door,And passing through into the cavern's space,Thus entered this enchanted castle's core."
"Allow me but a moment here to stay,To look into these parchments and their spell;Is this the place of which you spoke that day?""It is," she said.-"But yet I cannot tellHow I forgot to close the door, for noneWithout my father's word in here belongs.Still, stay! -Your entry to the castle now is done-And we will read the texts and learn their songs."
Bearslayer spoke: "To stay I were content,My whole life here with you and with these books!""Haste not, Bearslayer, such a wish to vent,"Then swift Laimdota said with warning looks,"Your words may rise up to the gods' stern ears,Who oft fulfil our wish in unsought ways.-Above all here, where in the coming yearsWill lie for me the joy of future days."
"I, Burtnieks's youngest daughter, yearn-Can but a hero stay here through one night,Within this castle rest, yet still return,And join the living folk at morning light,The castle then will break the magic spell,And in the morning, at the hero's side,Will rise and greet the sun it once knew well!"-Bearslayer took her hand and ardent cried:
"Of Burtnieks the youngest daughter fair,Within the castle of your sires I ask,If you will love old Lielvarde's heir,And make him strong to carry out this task,To break the spell within these halls to lie?"To this Laimdota earnest answer made:"Together we shall live and striving die,That to the folk our service will be paid!"
Bearslayer drew her close. She pressed her faceAgainst his chest. Two mighty spirits thereIn lofty virtue soared to heaven's spaceLike rising stars-such moments pure are rare!Upon the lake the waves broke white with spume,In moonlight glow the castle's rooftops shone;Light shadow spirits flitted through the room,Smiled down upon the lovers-then were gone.
The youthful pair but of themselves took note;The happy moment's joy they would not share.And soon they knew how when first lovers dote,True love's sweet bliss can conquer worldly care.
Oh, blissful joy-filled moments, soon you go,So like a dream, a sweetly fading tune.Oh, paradise on earth we briefly know,Why drive you forth your favoured ones so soon,Your pleasures but a fleeting moment show?Why give them bitter sorrow as your boon?
But does not briefest joy pain overthrow,And blunt of life the sharpest anguish keen?Be sure it does! If once true love we know,Life's further joys or sorrows nothing mean-Love only is remembered as we go,Though we a lifetime naught but grief have seen.
While both the lovers felt a joy divine,An evil presence in the lake close byLooked in the window with a will malign,A water snake-false Spidala's grim eye!Soon marked Laimdota that the time was late,She had to leave because the time had flown.Bearslayer through the night resolved to wait;Since he stood firm she took the path alone.
Bearslayer conquers demons and raises the Sunken Castle
Past midnight hour the castle grew so dank,Bearslayer only warmed himself somehow,By lighting in the hearth a broken plank.He waited then for what would happen now.
In all the rooms a sudden whirlwind ran,And seven demon fiends rushed through the door.They bore a coffin with an ancient man,Like scythes his teeth, like knives the nails he bore.Although at first it seemed that he was dead,He moved himself and uttered ghastly groans,With opened eyes, "How cold I am!" he said.-An unwished shudder gripped Bearslayer's bones.
He scarce could bear a voice so fearsome grim.He banked the fire, then from the coffin's bounds,Drew forth the man and said these words to him:"Grow warm, you hell-hound, only-cease these sounds!"But now the old man snarled, and tried to seizeAnd tear Bearslayer's ears with his sharp tooth.-It seemed he knew Bearslayer's strength would ease,So he could fight and overpower the youth.
Bearslayer struggling held him in the fire;His hair was burning, but despite this plight,Bearslayer swore: "No rescue from the pyre,Until the castle rises to the light."
A noise was heard, and through the open doorRushed Spidala the witch, and with her cameThe seven demons who had come before,With pitchforks armed, reflecting red the flame.They fell upon Bearslayer one and all,And with their forks they made to stab at him:There at the fore-they answered to her call-Came Spidala, her eyes aglitter grim.
Bearslayer was hard-pressed to face such odds,Until of Staburadze's gift he thought-The mirror that she gave him from the gods-And from his clothes her magic glass he brought.He held it out in Spidala's wild face,And horrid wailing sounded in the gloom,While all the demons shrank down in their place,And spun like motes of dust about the room.
The dust cloud ebbed, the spinning whirlwind died,A cool breeze cleaned the air and light now shone.-A sage old man emerged and greetings cried:"Our people's founder in the days bygone,I Viduveds now guard the Latvian folk!That you, my son, these demons here could slayHas saved this castle from the dark world's yoke.-Tomorrow it will see the light of day."
"Light to the people too the things will bringTheir ancient sires collected in this cell,Among them laws, which from the Godhead spring;Remember these and you will prosper well!-I warmly thank you that you won this fight;Rest now with gods in Burtnieks's keep.Your task is done and peaceful through this night,My maidens fair will lull you into sleep."
The old man vanished in the glow once more.And afterwards three beauteous maids came by;Reed pillows, sheets and blankets warm they bore,And for Bearslayer made a bed to lie.Full weary grown he lay down for the night,Sweet heavenly songs then sounded in his ear.-With easy breath, his drowsy eyes closed tight,He slept at peace, freed for the night from fear.
Next morning-light into the air to take-Bearslayer, chests and documents were raised.But with them rose the castle from the lake!Of Burtnieks the folk were sore amazed;-A castle stood upon an island bold,Bathed in the centre of the lake in light.Her father, straight Laimdota quickly told,Bearslayer in the castle spent the night.
At once he knew that broken was the spell,Rejoiced to see the ancient castle saved,Thence with Laimdota went, pleased well,And found the youth asleep, all dangers braved.
Laimdota gently roused him, and he sawThat golden sunlight through the pane shone free.He jumped up quickly and embraced her sure,Said, kissing her, "You now belong to me.The shackles broken that kept us apart!"-"Praise to the gods, praise to the spirit band,"Said Burtnieks. "The maid gives you her heart;I give you blessings from her father's hand."
"This covenant our two great clans will lead,To take the task of saving Latvia's folk!"-From then the pair the ancient books could read,And of their teachings oft together spoke.With wonder then Bearslayer clearly saw,That of the books Laimdota took good heed,And well could talk about the gods' high law,Of human virtue and of hero's deed.
Laimdota tells Bearslayer how the Devil sank the castle
One evening, in the castle sat the two,And thus Laimdota deep the youth amazed:"Now from a parchment I will read to youAbout our Sunken Castle that you raised."
"Far to the east, past seven kingdoms grand,Rose up a cloud, shaped like a saddled colt,Upon which Perkons sat with whip in hand.Each whip crack smashed great rocks with lightning bolt,Made humans tremble, hill and valley quake.Then Perkons spoke and all the earth took heed:'Who keeps my laws with me the path may take,And to a new land westward will I lead!'"
"But, fearful of the god, stood silent all,Until the tribe of Burtnieks bold grew.Its legendary fighters strong and tall,Then said: 'Great Perkons, we will come with you,As pious subjects we will heed your mind,If you but lead us to the fair new land!'With Perkons at the head, the tribe behind,They walked far to the west, a sturdy band."
"By savage creatures harried on the track,Foul fiends and giants, dragons fed their fears.All fell on them, but Perkons drove them back,And Burtnieks's men fought with their spears.At length they won through to the western bound:-The place they settled called the 'Baltic Sea'.A fruitful valley in this land they found,And chose the site where future life would be."
"They built a castle there and cleared the plains,Sowed barley fields that Perkons fertile made.From Patrimps and Saulite came ripe grains,From Uzin autumn honey in the glade;The Gods' Sons made from it a heady brew.The brides were fair, the tribe grew greater still.Both springtime's spirit came, and Liga too;Her golden kokle's songs filled vale and hill."
"Upon the Earth this was the Golden Age!-The Devil, who such fortune could not bear,Commanded that a mighty whirlwind rage,And suck a massive lake into the air,Then in the valley down its water pour.The whirlwind blew until, to calm its lust,An old man, who a three-pronged pitchfork bore,Prepared the fork into its midst to thrust."
"Another, seeing this, cried: 'Wait, untilI say a water spell. Within the galeIs water seeking place, that down will spillAnd fill our valley should the wind now fail.'Not understanding this, the first thrust through.The lake poured roaring down, the valley filled,And Burtnieks's castle sank from view.-All seemed then lost, but Liga different willed."
"Beneath the flood she played the kokle long,So beautiful the rocks grew soft and broke;A tunnel opened, and with Liga's song,Into the light came out the rescued folk."
The Earth is formed
Another time, Laimdota read anew:-"In the beginning nothing was. But plainThere shone an endless light, from which all grew.No start or ending marked God's perfect reign.He was the world's pure soul, good spirits' kin.The Devil still obeyed his God in all,Beside him stood and knew not stain of sin,Although his mind was close before the fall."
"To make the world, God asked of him one thing:To fly deep down, primordial ooze to view,To find there slime, a handful back to bring.-The Devil found the slime when down he flew,But wondered why God had for it a plan.To copy God he thought some slime to save,A handful placed inside his mouth's broad span.The other handful then to God he gave."
"'Earth, form!' God cried, and down the slime He threw,And from this handful formed the level plain.Within the Devil's mouth the other too,Became so large he spat it out again,Where from the ground it raised the hills up soon!-From His own substance God a handful chose,And shaped it saying: 'Form now, Sun and Moon!'To light the Earth their gold and silver rose."
"Such was the beauty of the Sun and Earth,God loved them both and gave the Gods' Sons life,And to the Daughters of the Sun gave birth.The largest one the Moon took as his wife:The many thousand stars their children are.-The Gods' first Sons were godlike heroes all,And Earth's broad lands divided near and far,Among themselves they took them in their thrall."
"The sons of Perkons -five stout youths all told-Then built the spirits' beautiful abode.He fashioned for the Sun fine steeds of gold,Which through the sky from dawn to dusk it rode,Then in a boat returned to morning shore;Sailed through the night, and in the dawning rose,The while the sea its horses swimming bore-Which Antrimps as his dwelling-place now chose."
The Devil rebels against God
"Soon Patrimps gave the Earth its verdant loam,And springtime's spirit added flowers and grains;The way paved Pakols to the soul's last home.-But many things changed through the Devil's pains,And were not as they had been at the start.-All stones were soft and God gave firm commandsTo shun them while He gave them form apart,And shaped them all at once from shifting sands."
"But here the Devil sought his Lord to mock,To find out through what means God would condemn,If he should tread upon the yielding rock.He sought great stones and firmly stepped on them,And in that moment all the rocks grew hard!-Upon the Daugava's bank yet stands a stone,That still today the folk can clear regard,And as the 'Devil's Footprint' now is known."
"In ancient times, on trees no branches lay,With only trunks, straight standing they were made.The Devil had a scythe for reaping hay,While Perkons' sons forged God a chisel blade.God took this scythe one day-the Devil slept-And with it hay in masses in He brought.-Not knowing God had scythed, with tool ineptTo use a chisel too the Devil sought."
"The grass still stood.-Unfit as reaping hook,The chisel was in anger cast away.The blade then struck a tree and hold firm took.Since then strong branches all the trees display."
"The Devil had fine cattle but unhorned,With rounded solid hooves and bluish hair.God built himself a byre; the Devil scorned:'What use a byre when yet no cows are there?'God answered then that cows he would provide!Next night he took them from the Devil's lair,And gave them all sharp horns, and coloured hide,And cloven hooves-the Devil's pen was bare."
"The Devil went and God's new byre soon found.The cows were there, but strange he found the sightOf cloven hooves, bent horns, and all aroundWere spotted cows and beasts with faces white!"
"God wanted then a dog, and to the Devil said:'Up to the mountaintop this stout staff bear;From clay a creature shape with snout and head,Two eyes, two ears, four legs, a tail and hair;And three times strike it with this staff, cry bold:'God made you!' and the thing will straightway live."The Devil struck three times as he was told,The dog sprang up, its homage God to give."
"The Devil now himself desired a pet,But bigger far than God's, with darker pelt.Hairs of his own above its eyes he set,Cried out, as with the staff a blow he dealt:'The Devil made you!' But it lacked life's zest.When 'God has made you!' were the words he said,The creature lived, and nuzzled to his breast.'Hail, wolf,' he cried as to the woods it fled."
At last God chose to make the human race;To do this from the Earth He took pure clay.One eye and ear alone possessed the face,Though arms and legs the body could display.'No evil see, nor hear, nor do,' He praised,'And walk a righteous path avoiding strife,True virtue show, from endless Godhead raised.'-With His own breath then breathed it into life."
"The human being slept while breathing light:'Here wait for morning,' God contented spoke.'The rising sun will wake you from the night.'-The morning sun into the world awokeOf all creations yet, the one most fine;With freedom's spirit filled and with free will,So noble that it strives to grow divine,To seek the good, and highest goals fulfil."
"But now the Fiend God's creature would enslave,And in the night another eye and ear,Another nostril too the human gave,And of his essence breathed in-hate and fear.Then said: 'Now evil you can see and speak,And henceforth not just lofty good will know,But stumbling helpless, blind the path will seek,And good and evil, both directions go.'"
"God saw the human, dangerous and wild,In treachery that falls on other folk,And kills, destroying all the good and mild,And in His heart a mighty anger broke.He could not bear the Devil in his sight,And drove him forth to Hell's forbidding shore.He cursed the Devil to an endless blight,And banished him from Heaven evermore."
"The Devil gave foul fiends and dragons life,And on the good a bitter war he waged.All gods and Gods' Sons faced him in the strife,And fighting too, both Earth and Heaven raged.-From Perkons thunder roared, vast whirlwinds blew,And, spitting lightning, down the mountains sank.The rising sea up to the heavens grew,And soon engulfed the mountain's lofty flank."
"Though, beaten, to the boundless pit now run,Still man's corruption seeks the demon pack,Trapped in the web of evil they have spun.-But Perkons sees them, strikes and drives them back."
The tasks of humankind
One evening, thus Laimdota spoke in turn:"Bearslayer, now the Guardian's words well heed,He wrote them that we understand and learn;These ancient wisdom's teachings I will read."Aloud Laimdota read to him this view:"Time is eternal. Thus it brings no peaceTo seek beyond, and endless life pursue.Time comes, time goes, and rolls on without cease."
"This satisfies the gods, the Earth, the Sun,But sates not us, who fleeting moments live.-Yet human life will through the ages run,For who its count of years the day can give,Since first upon the world gazed human eyes,And who can know when last these eyes will close?Our kind survives though each of us soon dies,And will so long the Earth existence knows."
"To help the great undying human raceTo prosper and a perfect state achieve;To live and die to give it lofty place,This is our task, ere worldly life we leave.And like each person, too, our human kindTo godlike wisdom's state itself can raise.-But then to ancient gods it soon grows blind,Who made the Earth for it in bygone days."
"With higher gods, new faith the old amends,The old alone as heresy holds sway.This is the mighty task for mankinds' friends,To stand and guard the folk from evil's way,Which, fair disguised, will freedom's spirit break.-But from the gods derives the people's mind.Inspired by this, their laws themselves they make,And for these laws their chiefs and rulers find."