"But should these laws the leaders not fulfil,For their own gain the people sore oppress,Like all bad servants here the people's willCan drive the rulers out and end distress.For freedom's lovers clear the task at hand:To make just laws that goods and life protect,On lofty human morals firmly stand,And nature's deathless wisdom give respect."
"Then in the folk all hate will fade at length,If they acknowledge nature's perfect law,And recognize its hidden wondrous strength.This is the task for those whose gifts are pure:With glowing ardour strive with spirit vast,Respect great nature, love the countryside,Part wide the misty curtain of the past,New form themselves and build the future's pride."
"Who striving seek the highest good, each oneWill earn great fame and honour with the best.Their mourning friends, when once their course is run,Will weeping lay them to their final rest.And, cradled safe in Mother Nature's womb,From people's hearts their names will never fade.In realms of light they soar above the tomb,Whom Gods' bold Sons eternal life once gave."
Then, silently, Laimdota closed the tome,And placed it in a chest with others too,And said: "These chests to more are dusty home,A task for many years to read them through.Perhaps in later age some humans boldWill bring them to the sunlight, in them pore,And teach the folk the wisdom that they hold,About the past, its knowledge and its lore."
Laimdota is stolen by the Germans
On All Souls' Day a feast was made complete.Much strove Laimdota, for upon this nightOld Burtnieks departed souls would greet,And dear ones' spirits lost to death requite.Bearslayer worked as did Koknesis too:They cleaned the barn, the drying rack made sound,Raked smooth the yards and cleaned the oven's flue,Pine needles strewed with sand upon the ground.
The barn for spirits is the favoured place:Behind the fireplace household gods safe dwell,Within live dwarves, while on the roof's broad space,There stands a dragon, neighbours' spite to quell.In wintertime when threshing work is done,In empty barns at midnight goblins roam.But on this night the barn such spirits shun,To yield to honoured souls their rightful home.
The two young men had cleaned and decked the space,Put back the chairs, brought tables to the shed,Where now Laimdota set a cloth in place,Laid on it honey, milk and new-made bread,And plates of soft-boiled barley with dried pork.Then Burtnieks the windows opened wide,And placed on both smooth wooden planks to walk,To help departed souls to come inside.
Together came the family to relax,And with Laimdota came a maiden throng,Put baskets filled with finely carded flaxBeneath the tables, while they sang this song:
"From up above, from down below,Tread in a basket fit,Tread in the yarn, before you go,And in the reed chair sit!"
"Into the barn, Mother of Souls,Go in my father's door.Go in so light, no mark unrollsUpon the white-sand floor."
"Mother of Souls, I ask you true,Enjoy the feast we share.Enjoy the feast we offer you,And still my body spare."
"Oh, spare my body, stand me by,Preserve me while life runs.Preserve me safely so that ICan give our people sons."
As darkness came they lit both torch and brand.They stayed together up to midnight's stroke,When Burtnieks pronounced: "Young people, stand,Go silent to your beds, no noise evoke.Allow to me to stay here quite alone,With shadows of each dear departed one!"All went away in silence on their own,The sacred night's deep peace disturbed by none.
Next morning Burtnieks, in pensive mood-Expecting thence Laimdota soon to bringFrom in the barn the souls' uneaten food-In solemn tone Bearslayer told this thing:"My son, last night the spirits showed portent:For you and your Laimdota saddest fate.-May Perkons and the gods such times prevent!-But where is now Laimdota? Why so late?"
Bearslayer sought her at her chamber's door;He called and knocked but answer there was none.Returning then he sought to reassure:Perhaps her work outside she had begun.Throughout the castle now the maid they sought,But none had seen her though they hunted well.They went into her room, which nothing brought-She had not slept there, that was plain to tell.
Both felt concern: They ran out now to viewBoth castle grounds and all surrounding space.But all was vain. Worse was, Koknesis tooWas missing from the castle-void his place.Shocked, Burtnieks returned home full of fear."It pleased the gods," he said, "to strike us hard.We must take action, since to me is clear,That evil hands now close Laimdota guard."
"We must act fast," he said, "Call forth my men.Pursue the traitors, yet they may be caught.""Too slow that way," Bearslayer answered then:"By me alone the foe is better sought.I swear to find Laimdota, bring her back,Or else Bearslayer no more will be seen."Saluting then he set out on the track,And left the place where happiness had been.
Kaupa sets out for Rome
In Turaida, within a castle hall,Of three men talking voices could be heard.False Kangars shared with Dietrich priesthood's call,The chieftain, Kaupa, was of them the third.
The German priest a way perfidious found,The fiery chieftain in his web to snare:He told what things in German life abound,Of heroes of the folk, and culture rare,And of the faith that man and God unites.-Of Rome's High Father too the plan unfurled,Together with the brotherhood of knights,To spread the sacred faith across the world.
Here Kangars aided Dietrich in his work-Though Kaupa's mind so much he had in grip,His fathers' gods the chieftain soon would shirk.-From Germany had come a mighty ship,And all the merchants wished now to remain,A city at the river's mouth to build,Which for the Baltic folk would bring much gain,If only mighty Kaupa all this willed.
He read a letter from the Pope's great home,Who Kaupa sent good words and blessings fair,And wished the chieftain's presence there in Rome.Moreover, Dietrich said that Kaupa thereWith his own eyes the German land would see,And through the Holy Father earn much fame.-In Kaupa surged the wish in Rome to be,He felt the Pope gave honour to his name.
He swore a German city to condone,Resolved next day within their ship to sail,With Dietrich leading to the Holy Throne.-On their return vowed Kangars not to fail.
At Daugava's mouth soon after All Souls' Eve,Slow on the tide a German vessel swayed.A throng looked on while, casting loose to leave,Last goods in haste were dealt in final trade,And for their castle men the Germans hired.-To go on board, soon Kaupa there appeared,And Dietrich too into the ship retired.With greetings warm the watching folk all cheered.
From high upon the ship now Kaupa spoke:"My countrymen, of wonders I am told,Of famous German lands and wealthy folk.A friendship thus with them we will unfold,And let them build a castle on our soil,Through which for us new springs of trade will flow,Our riches will increase, reward for toil,Our land will thrive, the wealth of all will grow."
"To German shores to seek this out I go:But first my promise firm to you I give,To tell what we must do, so soon I know.Until that day with them in friendship live."The people cheered, their caps rejoicing threw:"If they with good intention friendship hail,Long live then Kaupa, and the Strangers too!"-Then with fair winds the mighty ship set sail.
But Kangars of their friendship knew the cause,And understood full well the Germans' heart.With Spidala he stood upon the shores,And, spiteful smiling, watched the ship depart.
Bearslayer is consumed by sorrow, and disappears
Just then was heard: "Bearslayer now is here,Who brought the giant low." The crowd spread wide,As from his weary horse he sprang down clear.-He knew that Kangars had an evil side,And raging at the priest he loudly roared:"Reveal now, traitor, what Laimdota's lot,Or else your bones will feel my hacking sword.Her disappearance is your evil plot."
In place of Kangars Spidala words found,As on the far horizon sailed the ship:"Look, there, where she to Germany is bound."-Bearslayer cried: "We are in murder's grip!Such wicked deeds the people will not stand,But will strike back, for open I will say,That you and Kangars magic means command,And for yourselves the people's faith betray!"
"Oh people, do not trust the Strangers' guile,If love for freedom and our faith you feel!"-As all the people heard his deeds so vile,False Kangars summoned strength the breach to heal,Lest in this moment fame and power he lose.These words he spoke: "Young hero, for this shameLike you, the wrath of Perkons I would choose,Did I not know you wrongly give me blame."
"Soon Kaupa's eyes in German lands will see,How far to trust the friendship they have shown.Your second charge too gives no blame to me:Laimdota did not wish to go alone.-Since Kaupa planned to take some youths from here,To gain the wisdom Germany entails,Your friend, Koknesis, rushed to volunteer;As lover of Laimdota now he sails."
"Last night was opportune from you to part,To go with Kaupa to the German shores.-Be sure, young hero, in the maiden's heart,Though praising all your deeds, she was not yours.To make you sad she did not have the will,Through unrequited love. Her heart's behestShe yet knew well, and was resolved to fill:She knows now joy, with true love in her breast."
If Perkons of a sudden walked abroad,Bearslayer's mind had not been more amazed.Both pale and shocked he lowered then his sword,That set to strike at Kangars had been raised.Deep in his heart struck pain that knew no end,Like stabbing knives his soul felt jealousy.Could thus Koknesis prove so false, his friend?And chaste Laimdota too? How could this be?
Though naught he shared with Kangars of this view,Another reason plain was not to find,Why both Koknesis and Laimdota too,In secret left the castle gates behind.But thoughts like these Bearslayer gave no place.-Through Kaupa's voyage to the German shore,For him all things now had a different face;Of Kaupa's motives he had doubts no more.
"Your innocence," he cried, "my thoughts refuse,But I will wait while Kaupa sails the sea,Or for a ship from Germany with news;But warning take, if you have lied to me!"Regarding them no more, he rode away.-Then Spidala rejoiced with devilish glee;The longed-for moment now had come this day;Bearslayer's fate was worse than death could be!
In sadness deep, Bearslayer homeward rode.-With joy old Lielvardis saw him come,But marked at once his sorrow's heavy load.When asked, Bearslayer told his care's full sum.Then Lielvardis said: "Do not despair,Do not lose hope. Strange ways can Fate fulfil.Perhaps, though things against it witness bear,A blameless maid, Laimdota loves you still."
Calmed by his father's soothing heartfelt view,Bearslayer sent to Burtnieks to tell,Of fair Laimdota's fate all that he knew.In Lielvarde's halls he chose to dwell,Though mourning sorrow occupied his days.-Alone he walked the cliffs where Daugava flows,The water's white-capped waves drew then his gaze,He bitter raged at Destiny's cruel blows.
He yearned to roll like waves down to the sea,That with the North Wind's icy blasts wild fights,To gaze upon the North Wind's Daughter free,With her to bide, beneath the Northern Lights.The young man deeply longed to calm his breast,And cool his fevered brow, and felt compelledNo more to be in Lielvarde guest.-And soon none knew the place the hero dwelled.
Kaupa accepts Christianity
In mighty, ancient Rome,The Pope's eternal See,He called from Peter's dome,The Holy Land to free.
The Baltic he decreedTo be the Holy Land.All knights from sin he freedCommitted by their hand,If in the Baltic's bounds,They fought the pagan foe,Built castles in strong grounds,That priests might safely go.
His call to arms soon raisedA fortune-seeking band,Who loud the venture praised-They sought estates and land.Such men their fate pursueAnd sail to foreign shores.They seek a homeland new,And follow no man's laws.
In Peter's Church one dayThe Pope absolved their sin,A bishop gave, to pray,And leaders from his kin.At last, to those he turned,Come from the Baltic shore;His blessings Dietrich earned,To Kaupa he gave more.
They were allowed with graceTo kiss his slippered feet;With Kaupa, face to face,The Pope then deigned to meet.He asked of Baltic tribesIf Christ's true faith they sought,The faith now sent with scribes,To them as brothers brought.
Theirs were, as brothers, tooThe benefits and more,That round them stood in view,Or on the way they saw.Yet all of that was slight,Against the endless priceThat is believers' right,When death brings paradise!
Now Kaupa thought of home,The wealth could not deny,In Peter's Church in RomeArrayed before his eye.His ancient sires seemed weak,Their gods could not thus bless.He vowed the God to seek,Who gave such happiness.
He would resist no more,Such opulence evade,On reaching home, he swore,His people to persuade.
As Kaupa now bowed down,The Holy Father's graceConferred a knight's rich crownWith seven stars in place.Such gifts, both fine and rare,For him alone to own,To knights and bishops thereMade Kaupa's favour known.
Since to the knightly throngNow Kaupa numbered too,He soon the blessing strongOf Rome's great Father knew.Back in the Baltic landHis will he would assert,With weapons in his hand,The Baltic to convert.
In monasteries remainedThe youths thence Kaupa bore.Great knowledge there they gained-From monks to learn they swore.Among them in that placeOne's later fame has grown;Although of Latvian race,As Henry he is known.
Riga becomes the centre of German influence
The springtime had returned;In green it clothed the days.New life all nature earned,And sang the maker's praise.-
But Strangers saw no worth,To raise their eyes and seeWho made the bounteous Earth,And nature caused to be.They had a different goal:An idle life to crave,And drunkenness extol,But others to enslave.
On Daugava's bank, the folkIn hundreds hewed and filled,Forged iron, hammered oak,A city toiled to build.With ramparts fortified,Arch, passage, columns tall.A church stood safe inside,Within its lofty wall.
Named "Riga", on the banksIt stood, on Daugava's side.Within its church's ranksRuled Bishop Albert's pride.His priests with news he sent,The message of our Lord,But to their preaching lentThe power of the sword.
They went throughout the land,To teach and preach of Him,But plundered out of hand,And murdered at their whim.-The Daugava along,They cast a deadly pall,And soon the fear was strong,These monsters would take all.
All Germans who now came,In Riga place received.-The folk cursed Riga's name,And knew they were deceived.
"Oh, Riga, much have youPoured out our brothers' blood!Oh, Riga, much have, too,Caused bitter tears to flood!"
"Oh, Riga, much you spurned,Laid waste the fields of grain!Oh, Riga, much you burned-Scarce homes and barns remain!"
"Oh, Riga, you have seized,Like wolves our humble food!Oh, Riga, you have pleasedTo swill the beer we brewed!"
"Oh, Riga, you have tornOur plundered things away!Oh, Riga, you have swornWith freedom we will pay!"
"Oh, Riga, can you find,Yet things that we hold dear?Oh Riga, what behind,Is left for looting here?
Laimdota's abduction
While all of this took place,Where down the Daugava falls,In Germany's far space,Behind a cloister's walls,A weeping maiden lay,To dear ones no recourse,From them false lured away,And carried off by force.
Laimdota was the maid,And Spidala's base liesDeception's guile displayed.-Clad in her mother's guise,She lured the girl outside,Where helpers in her payForth made Laimdota ride,From Burtnieks away.
A prisoner in their mightTo Turaida they brought,And further in the nightThe Daugava they sought.Ignoring tears and pleas,Their mercy to implore,They put her on the seas,To sail to German shore.
On board was Dietrich too,Who came to seek her ear,Proposed a calming view,And claimed she need not fear.Since countrymen she knewOn board were at her call,Of Kaupa servants true,No evil could befall.
To study life they wentAmong the German race,Enlightened with the bentThe faith of Christ to face.God's mercy deep and wide,Christ soon to her would show,Selected as His bride,Through Him true God to know!
Laimdota listened grave,Contempt burned in her eye,Then answer briefly gave,A dignified reply:"Though Christ from God above,Takes brides against their will,I cannot give my love,A promise binds me still."
"I love a hero bold,Have pledged to him my hand,My father's leave we hold,Our hearts united stand.So therefore let me go,And tempt me not in vain,Or retribution know,And suffer for my pain."
"But more: My mother's child,Of humans I am one,My mortal flesh defiled,Not fit for God's true Son."
Though evil to the core,No conscience to feel shame,Yet Dietrich flushed once more,As though he felt the blame.Struck by the maid's lament,Of further words bereft,In silence hence he went,Alone Laimdota left.
Her lot did not improve,Though liberty she sought;False Kaupa did not moveTo help her as he ought.He said it was Fate's plan,And so she must remain,Until its course Fate ran,And took her home again.
And thus he saw no crime,If Dietrich fitting found,To put her for some timeWithin a cloister's bound.The ferment was so great,On board that was his lot,The maid Laimdota's fate,Enthralled, he soon forgot.
Soon heartless Dietrich tooCeased thinking of the girl,Because full well he knew,A rich and precious pearlA cloister had received.The grateful prioress,About his goals deceived,Was sure his scheme to bless.
The prioress deferred,Laimdota showed respect,But still to preach preferred;Advice did not neglectTo leave old gods behind,The faith of Christ to take,And when the maid declined,Harsh threats began to make.
She threatened to condone,Support a knight's design,Laimdota as his own,To make a concubine.
Laimdota heard this viewAnd felt a surging fear,Fore all, because she knew,An earl's son had been near.Kin to the prioress,He had the maiden seen;Her beauty to possessHis fervent wish had been.
He urged the nuns anew,The girl to him to give.The earl was of the view,Those who unchristian liveNo rights had in that land.To take the maid, his whim,To do with by his handWhat deed perchance pleased him.
So time Laimdota sought,To plan how she could cope,But time no counsel brought,In vain her rescue hope.
Soon came the fateful day,So she the prioress told,Her gods were laid away:All teachings of the old,The things that she had learned,Through Burtnieks embraced.-In truth, Christ's faith she spurned,And death had rather faced!
Laimdota is rescued by Koknesis
One evening, having strayedWith tears into her bed,To spirits good she prayed,That help to her be led.Then tumult loud began,Spread through the cloister's bounds,The people rushed and ran,And prayed with frightened sounds.
At length the shouting died,Her room loud footsteps neared,Her door was opened wide,And in it there appearedMen all in armour clad,With weapons in their hand;The guards and monks were glad,There at their side to stand.
One monk with glutton's faceSpoke to the armoured ranks:"The pagan take apace-We give her up with thanks.For long enough has sheThis sacred place defiled;Take her and ride out free,And cleanse our cloister mild."
The monks she loud implored,The prioress to call,Protection to afford,That nothing should befall.But they refused as one-The reason was well known,For with each other nunThe prioress had flown.
Of plunderers in fear,Their church the nuns sought fast,And forth would not appear,Until all risk was past.-Then iron-clad hands with forceLaimdota dragged outside;They flung her on a horse,And made away to ride.
But blocking them their place,A single man they saw.He held an iron mace,And shook it with a roar:"Release this blameless girl,Surrender now and leave,Or with this club I whirlMy arm your skulls will cleave!"
Surprised to hear this call,At first they heeded well,But then as one they allUpon the stranger fell.-At this the man revealedStrength others cannot show;With skill he used his shield,And parried every blow.
He swung his club with hateAgainst each armoured head;The men who felt its weightWith cloven helmet bled.-He struck the one with force,Whose steed Laimdota bore;The man fell from his horse,And loose his helmet tore.
The earl's son all espied,Who lay before their eyes."You dog," the stranger cried,"You cur in Christian guise!Know that this free-born girlIs to such honour heir,Unworthy any earl,For her her cup to bear!"
"In virtue without lapse,In woman's form and face,In Germany, perhaps,No equal has your race!"
"Go! To your comrades run;Tell them, in Baltic landEach free-born woman's sonWill crush them by his hand,As I tonight did here!Your life this day I spare-But if our lands you near,Then face me if you dare!"
Laimdota's senses cleared,As this the man declared;His face at last appeared,Beneath his helmet bared.-A cry of joy began,Within the moonlight grew;Laimdota saw the man,And straight Koknesis knew!
Koknesis took her hand,This greeting to proclaim:"To Gods and spirits grandGive thanks in time I came!Together we must flee,We cannot here delay.Hence you must ride with me,My fate learn on the way."
Into the saddle straightBoth leaped on horses' backs,Rode out and did not wait,On rutted forest tracks.A distant mountain hutGave shelter for the night-The folk who firewood cutHelped strangers in their plight.
They rested for some days,Then rode a further stage.Laimdota found good waysDisguised to be a page;Koknesis was her knight.-They from a seaport plannedBy ship to make their flightTo reach their Fatherland.
Koknesis on the wayTold her his story grim.-One night in bed he lay,When Kangars came to him,Said Kaupa at the dawnTo Germany would go;Dispatches must be borneFor Burtnieks to know.
Since Burtnieks, alone,Kept watch on All Souls' Eve,Koknesis, to him known,The message should receive.-No harm Koknesis sawTo Turaida to go,Where waited on the shoreYoung men that he would know.
With Kaupa soon to sailUpon the German trip,With pleasure they would hailKoknesis on the ship.-Koknesis gave assentWhen Kangars told his plight:He had no document,Until the morning light.
Aboard, they broke their fast,And Kangars gave them wine,A gift from Dietrich passed.-Since none would thirst confine,But drank deep at a stroke,They all were soon asleep,And when Koknesis woke,The ship rocked on the deep!
Just landless sea and skyHe saw now all around.His heavy head asked why,And shame within him found.His thirst had so prevailed,With appetite so hot,That with them he had sailed,If this he willed or not.
The others swift condoled,That not all bad would be,And with the thought consoled,Soon Germany to see.
To Germany now sent,With monks to live and learn,Koknesis seemed content,New wisdom thus to earn.But visits soon he paidAnd time spent with an earl,There to the knights displayedHis strength in jousting's whirl.
All there his skill admired,His agile arm's strong weight.-But news was not acquiredAbout Laimdota's fate.But later, there he heard,That in a cloister's court,A woman was interred,Thence from the Baltic brought.
The earl desired the maid,To seize her deemed it rightThe cloister's grounds to raid,And steal her in the night.-Her fate Koknesis knew,Thus earnest vow he gave,The unknown maiden true,From such a fate to save.
When at the cloister gate,Laimdota's face he saw,He felt an endless hate,And caution was no more!And thus the slaughter grew,No mercy would he show;The earl's son, humbled, tooFor misdeeds pain must know.
The boatmen's song summons the North Wind's Daughter
Long parted from the quay,Thus sang the sailor folk,Upon the Northern Sea,Good fortune to invoke:
"Oh father, build a ship,Oh mother, weave the sail,We seek straight from the slip,The North Wind's Daughter pale."-
"We travel night and day,No North Wind's Daughter find,And reach a northern bay,Where snow three giants grind."
"'Our greetings, grinders three,Comes North Wind's Daughter forth?'-'Thanks travellers on the sea,No, sail on further north!'"
"We travel night and day,The Daughter seeking twice-And reach a northern bay,Where giants forge pure ice."
"'Our greeting icesmiths three,Comes North Wind's Daughter forth?'-'Thanks travellers on the sea.No, sail on further north!'"
Thus sang the sailor folkUpon the Northern Sea,Until the helmsman spoke:Their way no more was free!
Bearslayer in this boat,Sailed on the Northern Sea,To Germany afloat,To set Laimdota free.
But battered by the forceOf wind and storm that blew,And lost, far from the course,The way no more they knew.
It seemed that evil powers,Sea ghosts, were ever near,In day and night-time hours,They filled the crew with fear.
Dank mists and deepest gloomThe light blocked as they swirled;While hail and snow-filled spumeWere by the North Wind hurled.
Then, where the sky's edge gleamed,A brilliant glow forth surged,And, from the glow, what seemedTo be a sail emerged.
Across the dark sea wave,Its course approached them near,Close up assurance gave:It was a ship was clear.
And at the helmsman's side,A woman they could view,Who, nearing, sweetly criedIn greeting to the crew:
"Your song to my ears came,Called me across the sea.You called aloud my name;Say what you want from me!"
The sailors were amazed,And stood as turned to stone.In wonder they all gazed,The North Wind's Daughter shown.
Her face was peach and cream;Reflected in the glare,Eyes blue as Heaven's gleamShone in the north's pure air.
Her hair was long and gold,And to her shoulders hung.She wore, they could behold,A rainbow robe that clung.
And on her form flowed downA snow-white woollen shawl.-Upon her head no crown,Instead, a helmet tall.
And weapons she had too,Within the ship there seen:Bow, spear, and shield on view,Stout forged from copper green.
Thus was the Daughter's form,About which legends tell.-That she provokes the storm,All sailors know full well.
With terrors she can soarInto the northern height,Lead souls of men to war,All formed up for the fight.
And when each lets his spearIn warlike manner fly,On earth the people fear,Say: "War and plague are nigh!"
In the domain of the North Wind's Daughter
As first, Bearslayer stirred,The North Wind's Daughter told,That, lost, they were interredWithin the northern cold.But their desire was clear,The homeward course to find:The North Wind's Daughter here,To help might be inclined.
The Maiden now explainedThat this was hard to do:Few crews the course obtained-A very seldom few.To trap them in this deep,Great storms the North Wind sent,Her father, who his sleepIn ice-bound caverns spent.
Yet longer he would rest,Perhaps a month in all;For them to stay were best,Safe in her island hall.Then later, firm she swore,To strive hard for their sake.-No course Bearslayer saw,But her advice to take.
The North Wind's Daughter steered,Her ship sailed further on,To where bright had appearedThe glow that earlier shone.And at an island's shore,Its hills in icy grip,Her craft she docked once more,Here led Bearslayer's ship.
She took him with his crewFar inland from the shore;Where they, with wondering view,A splendid castle saw.Its towers, roof and wallsOf ice were frozen hard.-They stayed outside its halls,The North Wind's sleep to guard.
Across broad fields of snow,Rose smoke clouds from the land.Her guests she told to go,And gestured with her hand.-Some way they went apace;The air soon ceased to freeze,And snow drifts now gave placeTo fields and groves of trees.
Within a garden fair,Was, deep as Hell, a pit,Whence flames shot in the air,From fires eternal lit.As they at Earth's core burned,Their endless flames rose hot,This icy island turnedInto a verdant plot.
Dense foliage, full of fruit,Hung there upon each tree,With babbling brooks to suit-All creatures lived carefree.Wild birds and beasts of prey,But farmyard creatures too,Could flourish here and play,In meadows sweet with dew.
The North Wind's Daughter's spearUpon her shield struck thrice-This made small folk appearFrom all sides in a trice.At Earth's far edge they dwelled,And served the Maid's behest;These folk she now compelledTo welcome every guest.
A pavilion they observedWhere tables full were laid,Delicious food was served,And all was ready made.The North Wind's Daughter bade,Her guests should there appear;And while they ate was glad,To serve to each sweet beer.
Another tent againHad beds all warm prepared,That rest might dull the painOf hardships they had shared.-
No sun could come or go,They knew not day or night,Yet still the pit's bright glowGave forth sufficient light.
The time passed full of ease,Of pleasures they were sure;Each day as much could please,As had the one before.
They stayed a goodly spell,Could all their needs fulfil,It pleased them there so well,To leave none had the will.
They leave the Northern Land
At last Bearslayer stirred:The Maiden he implored,To show the course preferred,And let them go on board.The North Wind's Daughter gaveHer vow all to fulfil,But sought their lives to save,With better counsel still.
For he should not retraceThe path he took before,Because he there would faceHis enemies of yore,Who now might well succeedTo smash him with their force.Therefore, he should proceedAlong a better course.
This path was long to go,And full of risks severe,But known not to the foe,Whose envy he must fear.The course would lead him pastThe Land of Ogres, then,Along the coast at last,To reach his home again.
Like people with dog's jaw;Thus was the ogres' form.They ate their meat while raw,And drank fresh blood still warm.No mercy could distractTheir hunt for humankind.On foot their prey they tracked,Killed all that they could find!
Still, men could foil their hunt,By wearing footwear turned,The heel towards the front,So none their path discerned.-Still further was a landWhere lived in caves deep set,Of little folk a band,Who helped all those they met.
Within their lands were foundThe Gardens of the Sun.So when it from the groundRose up, its course to run,It hung close to your hand.-Which meant, at dawn of day,In caves they had to stand,Or burn up in its ray.
Here shelves nobody knew,Nor cups on hooks hung loose;Behind the clouds they threwTheir spoons straight after use.To get the washing clean,The maids boiled what they wear;Then clouds of steam were seen,And storms formed in the air.
On leaving from this land,No more they would see sky,But in the darkness stand,And endless sea pass by.At length their eyes would sightA Hill of Diamonds rare,That sparkles giving light.-Yet none to land should dare!
Bright shining is the peak,It glistens without stop-But let no sailor seek,To climb up to the top!Still further on their way,The sky would lighten, thenThe night would yield to day,And they would see again.
A verdant island nearIts beauty plain would show.-But let them all know fear,And never closer go!This island to it drawsAll vessels from the sea,And once upon its shores,They never more come free.
If cunning he revealed,Through all these troubles passed,The Northern Sea would yieldAnd bring him home at last.
Heartfelt Bearslayer thenHis earnest thanks could say;Together called his menTo set out on their way.But quickly they all scornedTheir life of ease to break.-The North Wind's Daughter warned,Her father soon would wake.
Then all would be in vain,Their homes they would not reach.-They hurried back againAnd rushed down to the beach.Their ship they found safe there,As it had been before.It needed no repair,To leave this northern shore.
But ice-flows formed up fastAnd ringed them all around.They felt earth tremors vast,That shook the island's ground.The North Wind's Daughter's criesWere, "Save yourselves and go,My father soon will rise,And winter storms will blow!"
Then all knew that they mustAt once raise up the sail,And, with the wind's first gust,They tried to flee the gale.They scarcely were at sea,When, with a tempest's roar,The snow-capped waves rose free-The North Wind slept no more!
In fear of death the crewExerted all their strength;Before the wind they flew,And got to sea at length.
The Land of the Dog-Snout Ogres
Long hours in waves they heavedUntil, about to drown,Their troubles were relieved,Land found, the anchor down.-They seemed from death here saved,But new risks were at hand:Blown by the storm just bravedInto the Ogres' Land!
The storm its course had run,The sea could gently rock.The sailors had begunTo take of things good stock.The ship survived the storm,Which showed that it was strong.Repairs they would perform,Their voyage then prolong.
As far as eye could sight,It was an empty shore.The crew thus thought it right,To go on land once more.
Upon a mossy rise,Some doe were grazing near.Bearslayer, for supplies,Went out to hunt the deer.A hope formed from this scene:These parts could well be clear,No Dog-Snouts might have been;Perhaps they need not fear.
Bearslayer with some menApproached the mossy hill;Already deer for themHe had contrived to kill.And now with dagger blowsThis meat they would share round.-Then from the hill aroseA horrid shrieking sound.
And from a cave now pouredThe Dog-Faced Monsters out.-Surrounded by this hordeThe men yet battled stout.But doglike teeth soon rippedTo shreds men fighting here.Bearslayer firmly gripped,And faced them with his spear.
He stabbed the howling gangs,But still could not preventThat with their vicious fangsHis hip and side they rent.He had not found the strengthTo hold them long alone,If not a thought at lengthHad saving counsel shown.
No monsters any moreWere pouring from the cave,So he rushed to its door,Therein himself to save.Now, standing in this way,He could, with sturdy limb,Drive off or quickly slayAll those that ran at him.
A howl the monsters gave,When first they saw this trick,Then rolled before the caveGreat boulders broad and thick.They heaped the stones untilThe entrance they secured.Bearslayer waited, still,Within the cave immured.
The sailors could not wait,Until the hunters came;But orders did not stateTo seek them, all the same.They worked on board untilAll readied was to sail;Their comrades, missing still,They sought to no avail.
They felt a special careAbout Bearslayer too;Without his presence there,They knew not what to do.But then the helmsman cried:"Bearslayer comes, see now!"And soon with hurried strideHe reached the ship's sharp prow.
He did not wish to wait,But sailed without delay;Then told the hunters' fate,And how he got away:-
Low in the cave's dark rearAn opening small he found,That with his heavy spearHe widened all around.Within the cave there laySome half-raw scraps of meat,Of that on every day,A portion he could eat.
And after some days more,He fled from in the cave.-The Dog-Snouts to the door,Their full attention gave,And so they had no chance-He gave them all the slip.Without a backward glance,He set off to the ship.
They travelled far once more,Across the distant sea,Until they reached the shore,A land where they were free.
The Kingdom of Dreams
The East, of legend place,Where dreams their kingdom find,First bore the human race,The cradle of our kind!Here sky and ground both merge,Do not exist apart;The gates at Heaven's vergeNear Hell's domain here start.
Here is the home, behold,The sons of Perkons won,Where bright they forge their gold,In Gardens of the Sun.Its Daughters care devote,Grow golden apples bright.Safe in a diamond boat,Here sleeps the Sun each night.
Each morning new, its steedsSwim in the ocean's tide,With golden reins it leadsThem from a mountainside.
The people living hereEnjoy a happy lot;Like children nothing fear,Of evil know no jot.The Gods' Sons them protect,From what foul spirits do.Their destiny close directThe Sun's fair Daughters too.
Bearslayer stayed here long,And with his men lived throughOf happy days a throng;Saw many wonders too.The people of the landProtected them from harm,And sought to show the bandThe country's special charm.
The Gardens of the SunAlone they did not show;To live mankind must shunThe splendour of their glow.
The Hill of Diamonds
Bearslayer once againTo set off homeward chose.-The happy day came when,Before the Sun aroseAnd crossed through Heaven's dome,The sails were raised up high.The ship set out for home,Beyond the land and sky.
The darkness was as thickAs in the depths of Hell.The sailors could not pick,One from the other tell.But somewhere far away,A glimmer caught their glance;They steered the ship that wayTo seize this happy chance.
When suddenly, quite near,They reached the Diamond Hill.Although in mists unclear,The peak bright sparkled still.The golden glow they neared,Whose rays like diamonds pour..To land the helmsman steered-The crewmen rushed ashore.
All felt now strong the willThe Diamond Hill to seek;Bearslayer warned, but stillOne clambered to the peak.Up on the hilltop's height,With all to him revealed,Cried: "God, how fair a sight!"But then his fate was sealed.
As though on wind's wings borne,From off the hill he flew,Into the air was drawn,And vanished from their view.A second climbed up high,To where the diamonds shone:"Oh God, how fair!" his cry,And then-he too was gone!
To miss this fate, a third,Tied to a rope, climbed too.The same words all then heard-He also slipped from view!But others seized the line,And could him backwards draw.Though he would always pine,And never word spoke more.
Bearslayer left this hill,And long they sailed around,Their voyage blind untilThe light of day they found.
The Enchanted Isle
There was no more delayUpon the journey there;The weather every dayLike all the winds was fair.The vessel soon sailed free,And hope in all was born,To find the Baltic Sea.-Then came a fateful dawn:
At first by fog concealed,An island came in sight,Whose beauty when revealedFilled all with great delight.Upon Bearslayer dawned,That this the coast must be,Of which the Maiden warned,That draws ships from the sea.-
In vain to flee they sought;The coast neared more and more,Until, by magic caught,They grounded on the shore!
They go ashore on the Enchanted Isle
Though Spidala revenge had gainedAnd borne Bearslayer's love away,Within her heart deep hate remained;More evil yet she sought to pay!So with the crone she northward flew,Set storms and tempests bursting free,To plague Bearslayer and his crewUpon the unknown Northern Sea.
That every man had died is sure,Had North Wind's Daughter not shown guile.-Now further trials they would endure,Upon the strange Enchanted Isle.Recovered from their early fear,A host of captured ships they saw,All drawn in there throughout the year,Upon the island's lonely shore.
The ships all lay as though pinned fast,The sea waves crashing all around;Their crewmen frozen round the mast,Stood still as stones and made no sound.Of signs of life the isle was free,Although a path led from a wood,Across a bridge into the sea,And at its end a palace stood.
Bearslayer and his crew of men,Crossed on the bridge, went through the door;But even there no sign againOf any living creature saw.
That someone lived there, this they knew:On tables food and drink were spread,And in another room in viewStood ready made for each a bed.-Not long the sailors chose to wait,But soon the feasting was begun.They later did not hesitateInto his bed then climbed each one.
Bearslayer warned, it was not good,And they would risk their lives this way,Unless someone as sentry stood,To keep them safe until the day.At this, Bearslayer they beseechedHimself that night to stand on guard,Their weariness the point had reached,To watch all night would be too hard.
Bearslayer fights the many-headed demons
He armed himself and went outside,Upon the bridge the watch to stand,But for a time no-one he spied,A deathly silence filled the land.Then as time's passage midnight brought,A rider came along the track,But at the bridge his horse stopped short;It baulked and tried to gallop back.
At this, the rider's anger grew.He shouted in the horse's ear:"What groundless fear is troubling you?No enemy awaits us here.Bearslayer bold, my greatest foe,Is lost upon the Northern Sea.He is too young the course to know,Or come so far to challenge me."
On hearing this Bearslayer swore:"You err, you hell-hound, doubt my power;I have indeed come to this shore,And stand before you at this hour!"-A frightful demon with three heads,The rider answered full of spite:"If truly here a hero treads,Then prove your strength and with me fight!"
Along the track they rode ahead,Until thick forest blocked the way."Blow down some trees," the demon said,"To make a clearing for the fray!""You have three mouths," Bearslayer cried,"That is a task more fit for you!"And, in a circle three miles wide,The trees fell, when the demon blew.
The way now freed from blocking trees,So hard the demon struck his foe,Bearslayer sank near to his kneesInto the island's ground below.But just as quickly back he fought;His heavy sword flashed in a trice,Its slashing blow the fiend's neck caught,Lopped off one head clean at a slice.
Although the demon struggled hard,Bearslayer hacked its shield to shreds,And with his sword forced down its guard,Then struck off both the other heads.He took the body and the horse,Deep in the forest both he led,Back to the building traced his course,His armour loosed, and went to bed.
Within the building, sleeping yet,Safe at the bridge's end secure,The sailors faced no further threat,From evil forces guarded sure.
The whole next day they did the same,In celebration drank and ate;But asked Bearslayer when night came,To stand once more and guard the gate.He armed himself and went out then,Lest on the bridge a guard should lack.And, see, at midnight once again,A demon rode along the track.
And half aloud the rider thought:"Where can my missing brother be?No chance that he Bearslayer fought;The youth still roams the Northern Sea."On hearing this Bearslayer swore:"You err, you hell-hound, doubt my power;That I am here you can be sure.Your brother fell at midnight hour!"
This demon fiend, with six-fold head,Then answered him in angry tones:"If you have struck my brother dead,Then I will hack and crush your bones.Blow down some trees," it further cried,"To make a clearing for our fight!""You have six mouths," the youth replied,"That you should do this task is right!"
The demon blew and, six miles round,No tree could stand, the blast defy.It struck Bearslayer to the ground,So hard he sank in to the thigh.But just as quick the youth now fought:His heavy sword flashed in a trice,Its slashing blows the demon caughtAnd two heads fell, lopped at a slice.
In single combat long they strove,Until Bearslayer could prevail.He slew the fiend; its horse he droveDeep in the forest's densest trail.Exhausted by the savage fight,Back to the building he returned.He deeply slept throughout the night,Into the day took rest well-earned.
The third night came: Bearslayer thenThe others cautioned watch to keep.The palace he would guard again,But they were not allowed to sleep.If he should need it, help they owed,Within the night, to give him aid.-The mirror that to them he showed,Into his grasp then must be laid.
A bowl Bearslayer took in hand,And filled it up with water clear;Upon a table it would stand,By Staburadze's mirror near.If in the night-he told them all-The water in the dish stayed clean,Then they could stay within the hall;No help was needed, this would mean.
But if they saw that in the nightThe water sweet to blood had turned,They all should rush to join the fight-This loyalty his deeds had earned.
Bearslayer armour donned again,And stood upon the bridge as guard:At midnight, see, a demon thenWith nine fierce heads came riding hard.
Upon the bridge its horse then propped,It baulked and would no further go.The rider asked why it had stopped:"What do you fear? There is no foe!If to Bearslayer had been shownThe way to reach this secret place,Then both my brothers would have known,And would have fought him, face-to-face."
Bearslayer roared: "Yes, I am here!I killed your brother yesterday,And at this bridge stand, free of fear,That with your life the price you pay!"Bearslayer's words held meaning plain,And caused the monster long to stare."If you have both my brothers slain,Your flesh alive to eat I swear!"
"Blow down some trees," the demon cried,"To make a clearing for the fray!""You have nine mouths!" the youth replied,"Why should not you blow trees away?"The demon raised a storm all round,That nine miles wide all trees displaced,Then struck Bearslayer to the ground,So hard he sank in to the waist.
But yet Bearslayer was not slow,Three demon heads their blood let spill,But he received a second blow,That drove him downward, deeper still.Again he fought, and struck back strong,Three further heads were tumbling sent.They fought together for so longBoth were exhausted, nearly spent.
The fiend, who now had but one head,Had sunk Bearslayer armpit deep,Who now supposed the crew he led,Their word to give him aid would keep.But of his men not even oneCould help him in the battle hot.All slept already, watching done-His orders they had soon forgot.
So, hard his club Bearslayer threw,And three miles even, far away,Straight through their window in it flew,And in the room caused disarray.By such a noise disturbed from sleep,The sailors sprang up to their feet,Thought of the watch that they should keep-With blood the bowl was filled complete!
To help the youth all courage found,And ran to save him from distress.-To drive him down below the ground,The fiend stood close before success.-They passed him Staburadze's glass;The demon looked and quickly froze,And helpless lay upon the grass,While with their help Bearslayer rose.
From out the hole he clambered free,And cut off quick the final head,Then let his men his anger see:They had not kept good watch, he said.
Although he thought the island nowWas safe and under their control,The only thing he would allowWas on all sides to make patrol!
Perhaps the demon brothers' menMight still be there, he could not tell.-He rested several days and then,Bearslayer searched the island well.
Bearslayer captures Spidala
Once through the forest's gloomy boundThey reached a pleasant valley's floor,A cooling well within it found,Near which a tree sweet apples bore.The sailors hastened without thought,There at the well to slake their thirst,But stern Bearslayer caution taught,Forbidding them to drink at first.
Deep in the water with his sword,Triangular, a mark he slashed.-Where just before clear water poured,Not water now but blood there splashed!At first, loud wailing cries were heard,But soon again deep silence reigned,And in the water nothing stirred;As clear as amber it remained.
At this, he said they might drink free,No harm would suffer, this he knew.They drank, then hurried to the tree,Where near the well the apples grew.They sought as one the fruit to eat,But loud Bearslayer gave a yell-To seek here apples was not meet-And raised his sword, the tree to fell.
Just at this moment from the treeA frightened voice begged: "Harm me not!"Alarmed Bearslayer jumped back free,And in that moment, on the spot,The tree became a maiden fair.He looked at her, was sore amazed,With feelings he could scarcely bear-At Spidala his eyes now gazed!
Before his feet, herself she threw,And for her life began to plead:She would reveal great secrets true,And make good every wicked deed,No evil more do all her days.-Bearslayer gave to her her life:Foul fiends and giant foes he slays,But with weak women seeks no strife.
Then Spidala confessed to himHer every evil deed and ploy,Through which, with Kangars plotting grim,Bearslayer bold they would destroy;How forth Laimdota they could lure,And tricked his friend, Koknesis, too,And that both friend and sweetheart pureIn faithfulness to him were true!
The ancient witch, whom once beforeHe saw within the Devil's Pit,Upon the pleasant island's shoreA spell had placed, her plans to fit.And all the ships this spell there drewUpon the beach were helpless thrown;She then bewitched the sailors too,And every one was turned to stone.
The fiends Bearslayer there had killedWere her three sons, foul demon beasts.-The palace at the bridge she filledWith sumptuous meals to give them feasts.But as time passed they wished to tasteThe flesh of human beings sweet;Stone sailors she revived in haste,And gave them to her sons to eat.
Her sons' defeat she could not brook;A fearsome anger now burst free,Then of the well the form she took,Made Spidala the apple tree.If they had drunk deep from the well,Before Bearslayer thrust his sword,She would have cast a deadly spell,That painful death would all afford.
His slashing sword blows deep insideHad killed the witch-they heard her groan-As Spidala would too have died,Had not Bearslayer mercy shown.In rapturous voice these words she cried:"Success is yours, and Heaven's Sons,With Perkons too, stand at your side,Against all fiends and evil ones."
"But further deeds will be the cost,Once to our Fatherland returned.-While on far oceans you were tossed,Our fathers' halls the Strangers burned!Make haste, return home to our land,On these oppressors vengeance wreak!How happy with you I would stand,Like chaste Laimdota virtue seek."
"I long salvation sure to win.But who the Devil's grip can shake,Escape a pact conceived in sin,An oath in blood, once signed, can break?"
Spidala is freed from her pact with the Devil
Now Spidala concealed her face,And bitter tears wept without end.Bearslayer could not doubt the case:She wished her evil ways to mend.From nowhere came a sudden thought:The little package which, that night,From out the Devil's Pit he brought,To keep in mind the evil sight.
He bade some men the package bring;To Spidala he gave it then.The moment that she saw the thing,With heartfelt joy she cried again,In gratitude fell to her knee.Before Bearslayer's feet she lay:"Your grateful servant I will be,Bearslayer, now and every day!"
"This package is the pact I signed,When evil deeds to do I swore.With this I now can freedom find,And break the Devil's grip once more.For now I can dissolve the pact,Can do good deeds, while yet alive,And seek as much for good to act,As once I would for evil strive!"
The magic staff forth now she brought,With which the crone the sailors woke,When human flesh her sons had sought,Went to the beach to save the folk.-She entered every ship and boat,That lay pinned fast upon the shore,And with the staff each sleeper smote,And all rose up, alive once more.
To them it seemed a single nightThat they had slept, and nothing more,And so their sprightly step was light,That took them round the island's shore.Bearslayer stood and watched them long,Then suddenly surprise he knew,For with Koknesis in the throngThere stood Laimdota clear in view!
Bearslayer, Koknesis and Laimdota are reunited
Escaped from in the convent's boundLaimdota travelled with her knightThrough journeys long a seaport found,And there a ship to give them flight.-To foreign ports the sailors soughtTo bring their goods and make their trade,And on the Daugava's bank they thoughtTo see the castle newly made.
Of this Laimdota nothing knew,Nor knew Koknesis, of this fort,And of their loved ones nothing too,Since far away they had been brought.And thus it was their fervent willTo seek out soon the Fatherland.-Though Destiny's wish all would fulfil,The course proved longer than they planned!
As with Bearslayer, now the croneSent storms so that their way they lost,And soon, from off their course far blown,Upon an unknown sea they tossed.They wandered blind a lengthy while,Until one day the lookout hailedOn sighting clear a pleasant isle,To which with gratitude they sailed.
Come near the isle, the ship raced fast,As though a storm wind drove its quest,Until, unstoppable, at lastIt ran on shore among the rest.Upon the isle a sage old manAcross the bridge now led them allThat to the palace entrance ran;A sumptuous meal stood in its hall.
Then, after all had had their fill,On their own ship they deeply drowsed,And slept away the time until,By Spidala disturbed, they roused.-About their feelings who can tell,Here with Bearslayer now to stand?Upon his neck Laimdota fell,Koknesis firmly pressed his hand.
How many words there now flowed free,When each unchecked could full relateAdventures faced on land and sea,Of tribulations and harsh fate?Bearslayer full believed his love;Doubts disappeared-his trust was sure.Again they swore by powers aboveTheir faithfulness for evermore.
Alone and separate from the band,No contact Spidala now sought,Until Bearslayer took her hand,Her to the others gently brought.He told them how, now free again,Brave Spidala helped break the spell.With gratitude Laimdota then,Koknesis too, both thanked her well.
They asked her to become their friend.And Spidala her friendship swore,And vowed that she would help defendAgainst all trials the future bore.Well Spidala the island knew,And so the other folk apaceShe guided all its comforts through.-It proved to be a fruitful place.
So fair it was some made a vowTo settle there, and thought it well,Because the island's master nowBearslayer was, who broke the spell,That he should stay some weeks or more,Until these folk a chieftain chose.-Across the bridge now lived the four,Within the palace of their foes.
This building Spidala knew too:She showed her friends a wondrous hoard,Preserved in chambers there to view,Where many things to eat were stored.Our countrymen here happy grew,Had been content upon this shore,But for the longing that they knew,Their fathers' land to see once more.