Kalevipoeg — Canto I · Tianmu Anglican Church

The Celestial Bridegrooms

The Kalevipoeg (Son of Kalev) is the Estonian national epic, compiled by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882) from folk songs, oral traditions, and his own literary composition. Published in its definitive form in 1857–1861, it tells in twenty cantos the life of the giant hero Kalevipoeg — son of the mythical king Kalev and his wife Linda — from his birth through his adventures to his tragic end chained at the gates of the underworld.

Canto I establishes the mythological foundation: the invocation of the singer, the origin of the Kalev line from three ancestral brothers, and the double courtship of the sisters Salme and Linda by celestial and earthly suitors. Salme, born from a hen, is courted by Moon, Sun, and Star — she accepts the Star. Linda, born from a grouse-egg, is courted by Moon, Sun, Water, Wind, the Prince of Kungla, and Kalev — she accepts Kalev against her family's wishes. The courtship pattern is deeply rooted in Baltic-Finnic folk tradition, where the maiden's own voice determines the match.

This is a Good Works Translation by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, translated from the Estonian text of the 1857 first edition as preserved in Project Gutenberg. The trochaic tetrameter and parallelism of Estonian regivärss (folk verse) are preserved in the line structure. No existing English translation was consulted as a source.

The Invocation

Sing, singer, with open mouth,
Sing the little song-ship,
The storyteller's little boat —
Sing them to that shore
Where eagles golden words,
Ravens silver tidings,
Swans bronze redemptions
From ancient time have shaken down,
From olden days have scattered.

Tell us, wise birds,
Whistle, waves of water,
Reveal, dear winds:
Where is the cradle of Kalev's sons,
The strong men's homeland,
The rainbow-folk's shadow-realm?

Sing, singer, why do you not sing,
Why not, dear one, proclaim!

Why do I call, sad bird,
Why do I sing, with wilted beak?
Youth has wilted on the heath,
Grown pale among the heather,
Into the mourning-birch's leaves.

Before, when in happiness I rejoiced,
In the sun's warmth I played my pipe,
Silver song-threads
Into golden cloth I wove,
I saw many a wondrous
Secret birth,
Marvellous revelation.

Wind-Mother raised her wing,
Storm-Mother broke the forest,
Drove the waves to ride,
On the wide sea to play,
Sent the clouds fleeing,
Fleeing from Thunder's fury.

Gazing from the joy-ridge
At the face of the sun
I thought of ancient memories,
Of things born in olden time.

Run more mightily, rivers,
Come, hills, to witness,
Forests, to give the sign,
Groves, to whisper the secret!

Openly rises the song's beauty
Like the sun from a cloud-burst,
Wakes the mind to waking,
Sets thoughts to joyful stirring.

From far I see a dwelling growing,
Kalev's stone fortress,
Oaks for the walls' support,
Boulders for the walls' covering,
Bird-cherries behind the house.

To my ear comes the roar
Of the falling sea's waves,
From the unshaking cliff-ridge
That remained unbroken by the storm,
Unswept by the wind's blast,
Unwashed by the rain-water.

Let us trace the word-paths
On the old tale's tracks,
On the iron age's roads!

The Origin of Kalev

In ancient times in Kalevala
Strong men's foster-children grew,
Growing in many a village,
Rising in many a farm,
Like Taara-folk's seedlings,
Victory-folk's sprouts,
From a mortal mother's lap
Into this world were born.

Grandfather's famous sons,
Movers of wise counsels,
Doers of wise works,
Had to make friendship
With fading maidens,
Until the maidens' tender wombs
Swelled to son-bearing.

From there rose the famous line,
The strong company of Kalev's sons,
Men as sturdy as oaks.

At the northern border stood the household,
A strong farm upon the rocks
At the edge of Taara's oak-forest,
Half still hidden in the forest,
The other half on the open plain.

In the household grew three sons,
Taara-folk's little seedlings.
One of them rolled to Russia,
Another blew to Lapland,
The third sat on the eagle's back,
Upon the northern eagle's wing.

He who rolled to Russia
Grew to be a fair merchant,
A weaver of shop-shelves.
He who blew to Lapland
Grew straight to be a brave warrior,
Rose to be a champion fighter.

He who rode on the eagle's back,
Upon the northern eagle's wing,
Flew far, glided far,
Flew a stretch southward,
Another stretch toward the sunrise,
Rode across the Finnish sea,
Glided across the Western sea,
Rolled across the Viru sea,
Until by fortune's guidance,
By godly direction
The eagle upon a high cliff
Cast the man on Viru's shore.

The man who came to our land
Founded a kingdom at once,
Established a wide realm,
Built a fair dwelling,
From where his mighty powerful hand
Governed the wide realm.

Nothing more to our meadows,
To our wide water-fields,
On the old tale's tracks
Was told of Kalev the Elder,
No sign given of his coming.

Kalev Goes Courting

How Kalev went a-courting,
Seeking a young bride —
Of this, secret tidings
We received from Pskov's border,
As we rattle in song,
Proclaim with golden tongue.

In the west there lived a young widow,
A woman alone in her farmstead,
Like a house without its posts,
A building's walls without a roof.

She went to drive the cattle
On a Sunday morning,
At a weekday's hour.

What did she find on the cattle-path,
On the hoof-tracked tramping-ground,
By the village swing on the meadow?

She found a hen on the cattle-path,
A grouse-egg on the tramping-ground,
A crow's chick on the meadow.

The widow took the hen to her bosom,
Tucked the grouse-egg in her breast,
Took them as comfort for her sorrow,
To quench her grief,
To raise as children at home;
She threw the crow's chick
Into the torn fold of her apron;
Brought all three home,
Carried them to the secret chamber,
To the cellar made of stone.

She took in hand the wool-basket,
Set the pair to be brooded,
Egg below, hen above,
Under the lid to grow.
She set the birthing-basket
On the granary's edge to stand;
Then she threw the crow's chick
Into the cat-corner behind the chest.

The hen grew, the egg was brooded;
The hen grew under the lid,
The grouse-egg under the wing,
Grew one month, swelled to two,
Grew a piece of a third month,
A week or perhaps the fourth,
And a few more little days.

The widow went to the storehouse to look,
To check on the foster-children —
What had grown under the lid?
From the hen grew a fair maiden,
From the grouse-egg a second daughter;
From the hen came a tender maiden,
From the grouse, a graceful maiden.

What became of the crow's chick
In the cat-corner behind the chest?
From the crow came a poor child,
An evening-headed slave-girl,
Poked by the torch-light,
Hooked by the neck-yoke.

The Suitors of Salme

To Salme came the suitors,
Five, six wine-tankards,
Seven secret listeners,
Eight watchers from afar;
Came the lofty suitors:
One was the Moon, the second the Sun,
The third the Star-lad.

Moon Courts Salme

Moon-lad came,
The pale-faced bridegroom,
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Wanting Salme for his companion,
To bind the maiden with his troth.

Salme understood, answered at once,
Called out from the storehouse,
Spoke from the stone-house:
"No, I will not go to Moon, dear one,
No, silver one, not to the night-light!
Moon has three trades,
Six more tasks of his own;
Now he rises at dawn,
Now at the day's waning,
Now at the day's rising;
Sometimes he tires early,
Sometimes before the light comes,
Sometimes he must stand watch even by day,
Lurking in the broad south."

Moon went home sadly,
Shone as he went with a downcast face.

Sun Courts Salme

Sun-lad came,
The burning-eyed bridegroom,
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen;
Wanting Salme for his companion,
To bind the maiden with his troth.

Salme understood, called back:
"No, I did not go to Moon, dear one,
Silver-crown refuses the Sun!
Sun has many ways,
Many kinds of changes;
Hotly the Sun shines,
Fiercely he casts his light.
When it is bright at hay-time,
Then he lashes with rain;
When it is time to sow the precious oats,
Then he thunders with drought,
Ruins the oat-sowing,
Burns the barley on the field,
Presses the flax into the sand,
Peas between the furrows,
Buckwheat behind the house,
Bends the lentils into the stump-land;
When it is time for the rye harvest,
Then he rustles with dew,
Drizzles with fog-rain."

Sun went sighing home,
Shone as he went with a drought-face,
With the malice of scorching.

Star Courts Salme

Then came the third suitor,
Came the Star-lad,
The Pole Star's eldest son,
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Wanting Salme for his companion,
To bind the maiden with his troth.

Salme called from the storehouse,
Spoke from the upper chamber:
"Lead the Star's horse to stable,
The Star's dapple to the stall,
The Star's gelding to the oat-gruel,
Before the polished wall,
Behind the hewn wall!
Throw hay before him,
Bring oats before him,
Mash from the trough-edge,
Gruel in plenty,
Foam of the purest white!
Cover him with fine linen,
Lay him beneath broad cloth,
Shade him with a silken carpet,
His eyes to sleep in velvet,
His hooves to rest in oats!

To the Star I too will go,
To the Star, dear one, I give my hand,
I go as his golden companion.
The Star has bright eyes,
Thoughts astir in his mind;
The Star does not waste the harvest,
Nor ruin the rye-cutting.

Seat the Star-son
Before the polished table,
Behind the hewn wall,
On the bench of rowan-wood,
Before the wide feasting-table,
With dishes laid upon it!
Bring fish to the table,
Meats near the bridegroom,
Bring the sweetest delicacies,
Wedding-loaves for the bridegroom,
Honey-trays before the man;
Bring ale-tankards to the table,
Sweet mead-goblets!"

The Star was invited inside,
Bidden to the feasting-table.
The widow-mother spoke:
"Eat, Star, drink, Star,
Live, Star, in joy!"

The Star rattled his sword,
Clinked his golden buckle,
Clattered his spurs,
Stamped his iron heel:
"I do not want to eat, little mother,
I do not want to drink, little mother,
Nor to live in joy;
Bring my own one to the room,
Send Salme to the floor!"

Salme heard the bridegroom's call,
The Star-lad's wanting,
Salme called from the storehouse,
Over the yard from the building:

"Bridegroom, dear lad,
Guest come from afar,
Give time for the growing,
Give Salme time to ripen,
Give time for the adorning,
For putting on the wedding-dress!"

"Run, Linda, swift-foot,
Fly, dear sister, to the chamber,
Jump to the dressing-chest!
Bring me the woven garments,
Shirts of mist-silk,
Bodices with golden letters,
Patterned woollen stockings,
Beribboned linen cloths,
Checkered neck-scarves!"

The foster-mother called from the corner,
The step-mother from the chamber:
"Eat, Star, drink, Star,
Live, Star, in joy
Through the long feast-days."

The Star heard, answered back,
The Star wisely spoke:
"I do not want to eat, I do not want to drink,
Nor to live in joy
Through the long feast-days,
Until I see my own one."

The widow understood, answered back:
"Perhaps, little berry, you want to sleep,
To rest a longer rest?"

The Star answered readily,
The Star wisely spoke:
"I do not want to sleep, little berry,
Nor to rest longer:
The Star's eye knows no sleep,
Nor the covering of brows,
Nor the falling of eyelids.
Bring my own one to the room,
Send Salme to the floor,
The one who grew from the hen, for me to see!"

Then the maiden was brought to the room,
Salme was sent to the floor.
The widow-mother did not know her daughter,
The foster-mother did not know her foster-child,
Whom in the secret chamber
The earth-mother had adorned,
The forest-maidens had prepared.

The widow asked in wonder:
"Is this the Moon, or is this the Sun,
Or is this the young daughter of twilight?"

The Wedding of Star and Salme

The wedding-party was called together,
The wedding-guests were bidden
To hold a feast of joy:
For an oak from Tartu's border,
An alder from the town's street
Had run together at the roots,
Had fallen together at the crowns.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn!

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

The Suitors of Linda

Moon Courts Linda

Moon came a second time
To the wedding-feast of joy
Back to the western farmstead,
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen;
He wanted the daughter from the grouse-egg,
To take Linda for his own.

The brothers wanted her for Moon,
The sister for the lord of nights;
But Linda did not want to go to Moon,
Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal:

"No, dear one, I will not go to Moon,
No, silver one, not to the lord of nights!
Moon has six trades,
Five more self-appointed tasks,
A dozen other duties;
Sometimes he rises early,
Sometimes he rises at dawn,
Sometimes he drowns in fog,
Covers his face with dew-mist,
Sometimes he hides behind the clouds,
Now he rises at daybreak,
Now at the middle of dawn,
Now he vanishes altogether,
Leaves his realm unwatched."

Moon goes home in sorrow,
Vexation shining from his face,
Malice from his brow.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The Harju dance was struck up,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn.

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Sun Courts Linda

Then came a second suitor
To the wedding-feast of joy,
A second time to try his fortune:
Sun came in his radiance
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Himself astride his stallion;
He wanted to take Linda,
To make the grouse's daughter his wife.

The brothers wanted her for the Sun,
The sister for the lord of days;
But Linda did not want the Sun-bridegroom,
Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal:

"No, dear one, I will not go to the Sun,
No, silver one, not to the lord of days!
Sun does much harm:
He leaves the flax in the sand,
Wastes the oat-seed,
Burns the barley on the field,
Wilts the wheat on the meadow,
Rye between the furrows;
He shines long in summer,
In winter he does not even come inside."

Sun goes sighing from the threshold,
Scorching with drought-heat.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The Harju dance was struck up,
The Lääne dance was broken out,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn.

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Water Courts Linda

Then came a third suitor
To the wedding-feast of joy,
Water came rolling
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Himself astride a water-grey;
He wanted to take Linda,
To make the grouse's daughter his wife.

The brothers wanted her for the Waters,
The sister for the lord of currents;
But Linda did not want the Waters,
Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal:

"No, dear one, I will not go to the Waters,
No, silver one, not to the lord of currents!
The currents are wicked in their rolling,
The waves are cruel in their falling,
The springs in their branching,
The rivers violent in their running."

Water rolled away in teardrops,
The wave went home lamenting,
Flowing sadly through the gate.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The Harju dance was struck up,
The Lääne dance was broken out,
The Järva dance was wrestled,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn.

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Wind Courts Linda

Then came a fourth suitor
To the wedding-feast of joy,
Wind came blustering
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Himself astride a wind-stallion;
He wanted to take Linda,
To make the grouse's daughter his wife.

The brothers wanted her for the Winds,
The sister wished her for the Breezes;
But Linda did not want the Winds,
Nor the lord of the air.

Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal:

"No, dear one, I will not go to the Winds,
No, silver one, not to the lord of the air!
The winds are cruel in their blowing,
The storms are mad in their raging,
The breezes too gentle as bridegrooms."

Wind goes blustering home,
Bears no long resentment,
Nor a moment's grievance.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The Harju dance was struck up,
The Lääne dance was broken out,
The Järva dance was trodden,
The Tartu dance was wrestled,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn!

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

The Prince of Kungla Courts Linda

Then came a fifth suitor
To the wedding-feast of joy,
To the western farmstead's threshold,
Came the son of the King of Kungla
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Himself astride a golden stallion;
He wanted to take Linda,
To make the grouse's daughter his wife.

The brothers wanted her for the Kungla bridegroom,
The sister for the king's son;
But Linda did not want the Kungla bridegroom,
Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal:

"No, dear one, I will not go to the king,
No, silver one, not to the Kungla lad:
The king has wicked daughters
Who would hate me, the stranger."

The Kungla bridegroom goes in anger,
Cursing out through the gate.

The cross-dance was danced,
The Viru dance was rolled,
The Harju dance was struck up,
The Lääne dance was broken out,
The Järva dance was wrestled,
The Tartu dance was trodden,
Their own dance was learned,
The fine sand was trampled,
The turf was worn!

Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Kalev Courts Linda

Then came a sixth suitor
To the wedding-feast of joy,
Came Kalev, the strong man,
With fifty horses,
Sixty coachmen,
Himself astride a proud stallion;
He wanted to take Linda,
To make the grouse's daughter his wife.

The brothers did not want her for Kalev,
The widow forbade the strong one.

But Linda wanted Kalev,
Linda called from the sauna,
Linda spoke from the pillow,
From the tow she cast her refusal no more:

"This man is to my liking,
To him I bind my troth."

Kalev was invited inside,
Seated at the table;
Before the polished table,
Behind the hewn wall,
Cloths upon the wall for covering;
Before him the silver tankard,
A precious golden goblet,
Sweet mead poured within,
Honey-beer below, foam above,
Red ale in the middle.

The widow bade him take bread,
Salme bade him wet his lips:
"Eat, Kalev, drink, Kalev,
Taste our sweets,
Wet your throat from the wedding-tankard,
From the patterned wine-jug!
Live, Kalev, in joy
Through the long feast-days!"

Kalev rattled his sword,
Clinked his golden buckle,
Clattered his spurs,
Shook his money-pouch,
Spoke with a wise tongue:
"I do not want to eat, little mother,
I do not want to drink, young one,
Nor to taste your sweets,
Nor to try your bitter things,
Nor to live in joy;
Bring my own one to the room,
Let Linda to the floor,
The grouse's daughter among the others!"

Linda understood, answered back:
"Bridegroom, dear lad!
Give time for the growing,
For the girl to ripen tall,
For the currant-eyed one to straighten:
Give time for the adorning!

Long it takes to adorn one without a father,
Long to adorn one without a mother,
Long the poor one laces her belt,
Long she hooks her bodice;
There is no mother to do the adorning,
No parents to prepare,
No kin to give their blessing,
No sisters to wish her joy.

Village mothers do the adorning,
Old women do the preparing,
The village gives cold counsel,
The folk have hearts of iron."

Kalev took no drink from the tankard,
Nor food for his strength,
Nor tasted the wedding-joy.

Linda called from the storehouse,
In the tongue of prayer from the stone-cellar:
"Come, crow, poor child,
Despised slave-girl,
Girl who grew in the cat-corner,
Fly like a little butterfly
Quickly to the dressing-chests:

Bring me a new mist-shirt
Over this fair body,
Bring me a birch-bark shirt
Over this body's beauty;
Bring me a glove of reed-pattern
Over the mist-shirt;
Bring me another, starred,
Over the birch-bark skirt;
Bring me a belt of maple-pattern
Around my slender waist,
Around my swan-like hips;
Bring me the patterned bodice
To cover the maiden's high breast;
Bring me a scarf of herring-grey
Over the patterned bodice,
A white shade for my throat;
Bring me a coat of golden weave,
A brocade crown for my head!"

The foster-mother called from the corner,
The step-mother from the chamber:
"Eat, Kalev, drink, Kalev,
Live, Kalev, in joy
Through the long feast-days;
Star-bridegroom and Salme-maiden
Hold a long wedding-joy!"

Kalev understood, answered back,
The strong man wisely spoke:
"I do not want to eat, I do not want to drink,
Nor to live in joy
Through the long feast-days.
Bring my own one to the room,
Let Linda to the floor,
The grouse's daughter among the others!"

Then the maiden was brought to the room,
Linda was let to the floor,
The grouse's daughter among the crowd.

The widow-mother did not know her daughter,
The foster-mother did not know her foster-child,
Whom in the secret chamber
The earth-mother had adorned,
The forest-maidens had prepared.

The widow asked in wonder:
"Is this the Moon, or is this the Sun,
Or is this the young daughter of twilight?"

Linda understood, answered back:
"This is not the Moon, nor the Sun,
Nor the young daughter of twilight;
This is a child grown at home,
A daughter risen from the grouse-egg."

The Wedding of Kalev and Linda

Kalev courted the golden maiden,
Took Linda as his home-hen,
Took her as his precious one to hold,
His sweetheart to pass the time.

Let us dance the cross-dance,
Let us roll the Viru dance,
Let us step the Harju dance,
Let us fly the Lääne dance,
Let us leave the Järva dance,
Let us keep our own dance:
Until the sedge rises from the marsh,
Sedge from the marsh, moisture from the earth,
Water from between the toes,
A dipper-flower from the middle!

Kalev-bridegroom and Linda-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Star Takes Salme to the Sky

Star begins to go home,
Calls Salme from the wedding-party,
The hen from the joy-chamber,
Where the house was made from birch-bark,
The roof folded over,
Cast from pea-stalks.

Star steps before the foster-mother,
Thanks the feast and speaks:
"God be with you, little mother!
God be with you, wedding-guests!
God be with you, brother-in-law Kalev!
God be with you, young sister-in-law!
Now I take away Salme,
Away the young sable-eyed one:
Mother will not see Salme again,
Sister will not know Salme's joy.
Weep, Salme's brothers,
Weep, maidens of the west:
Now Salme is being taken from you,
Hidden behind the clouds,
Cast as the twilight-maiden,
Lifted beneath the sky."

Salme called with tearful eyes,
Salme spoke from the sleigh:
"Mother, gentle little one!
I must go away,
A goose swimming from the flock,
A grouse departing from the others,
A swan flying from the joy;
A duck I go to the raft's edge,
A swan on a sleigh through the snow,
A cranberry along the rivers,
A bilberry through the thawing marshes;
The wind will come to lift me,
The dear breeze to help me!"

The sister called from the yard,
The step-mother from the chamber,
The slave-girl from behind the corner:
"Where is our Salme being taken,
Where did the hawk carry the hen?"

A gust of wind brought greetings,
A raindrop brought eye-water,
The dew mourned the lost child.
No other tidings came from Salme.

The Feast Continues

The wedding-feast of Kalev's line
Lasts beautifully onward.

Kalev-bridegroom and Linda-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

Five suitors had come home,
Five wines had come and gone,
Five wines, six tankards,
Seven secret listeners,
Eight watchers from afar.

"If they have come, let them come!
The gatepost does not tire,
The brother's well-hook does not break
From holding the bridegroom's horses,
From bearing the bronze harnesses.
Let the other five come too,
The other five, the other six,
The other seven secret listeners,
Eight watchers from afar.
Better I go without a bridegroom
Than the wedding be left half-done."

Kalev-bridegroom and Linda-maiden
Held their wedding-joy!

The Servant Girl at the Well

"Come, crow, poor child,
Evening-headed slave-girl,
Heavy iron-worker,
Take the neck-yokes in hand,
Hang the buckets on the yokes;
Go, fetch water from the sea,
Run, fetch from the waterfall,
Go, fetch quickly from the spring!"

I lingered there waiting,
I tarried there watching
How the fish were spawning,
How the burbot stirred the pool,
The father-pike turning,
The mother-dace settling.

I lingered a little too long,
Dozed for a moment.

I started to go home,
The wedding-music quickened my feet.
The house-mother met me,
Asked where I had spent the long night,
Wasted the half of a day?

"My gentle little mother,
Don't you know a young one's dawdling,
A poor child's pleasures?
A young one has five delayings,
Six more foot-tanglings,
Seven step-bindings!
I lingered there waiting,
I tarried there watching
How the fish were spawning,
How the burbot stirred the pool,
The father-pike turning,
The mother-dace settling.
I lingered a little too long,
Dozed for a moment."

Let us dance the cross-dance!
Let us keep our own dance:
Until the sedge rises from the marsh,
Sedge from the marsh, moisture from the earth,
Water from between the toes,
A dipper-flower from the middle!

Kalev Takes Linda Home

Kalev begins to go home,
Calls Linda from the wedding-party,
The grouse's daughter from the others,
The swan from the feast of joy.

Linda calls over the threshold:
"Run, boy, water the horse,
Hired hand, put on the saddle,
Foot-servant, turn the sleigh,
The sleigh-shafts to the window,
The sleigh-sides to the hillock,
The sleigh-prow toward the dawn!"

Then she goes to the widow
To bid farewell:
"God be with you, foster-mother!
I must go away,
A swan flying from the flock,
An eagle departing from the village;
I must go away from sorrow,
Away from the shameful folk,
From the better places,
From the familiar farms!
The feast must come to an end,
The wedding must be left half-done,
The ales must swim to their dregs,
The bread must come to its crust."

Then she, dear one, stepped into the sleigh,
Sprang clattering to the bridegroom's side.

Kalev put his long arm
Like a belt around the maiden,
One foot hanging from the sleigh.

Kalev clattered his spurs,
Clinked his golden buckle:
"Oh Linda, my own!
What did you forget at home?
Three things you forgot at home:
The Moon stayed at the house-door —
That is your old father;
The Sun stayed upon the granary's crest —
That is your old uncle;
The birches stayed at the chamber-door —
Those are your slender brothers,
Your cousins raised in the west."

"If they have stayed, let them stay,
The Lord will give new fortune;
Wherever the road is trodden,
The path is laid before us,
There the traveller must ride!"

The Moon stood gazing sadly,
The Sun shone in ill temper,
The birches wept in the chamber.

Linda, bird, did not know sorrow,
Did not feel the others' grief,
Linda flew on her bridegroom's love,
Rode alongside in the journey
Over the wide open plains,
Through the thick forests,
Rode by day in sunlight,
By night in the silver brooch's glow:

Toward the home of Kalev's sons,
Together to the silk-chamber,
Where a fine bed had been laid,
A pillowed resting-place.

Colophon

Kalevipoeg — composed and compiled by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald from Estonian folk songs and oral tradition, first published in verse form in Kuopio, 1857–1861. This is the opening canto — the mythological foundation of the Estonian people, told through the celestial courtship of two sisters and the arrival of Kalev in the land of Viru.

Translated from 19th-century Estonian by the New Tianmu Anglican Church (Good Works Translation), 2026. Translated by Tuuli with Claude (Opus 4.6). No existing English translation was used as a source; the English is independently derived from the Estonian text. W.F. Kirby's 1895 English prose translation exists but was not consulted.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: Kalevipoeg — Esimene Lugu

Estonian source text from Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, "Kalevipoeg" (Kuopio, 1857). Digital text from Project Gutenberg. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.

Sõua, laulik, lausa suuga,
Sõua laululaevakesta,
Pajataja paadikesta —
Sõua neid senna kaldale,
Kuhu kotkad kuldasõnu,
Kaarnad hõbekuulutusi,
Luiked vaskseid lunastusi
Vanast ajast varistanud,
Muiste päivist pillutanud.
Teadanege, linnud targad,
Vilistage vete laened,
Avaldage, tuuled, armsad:
Kus see Kalevide kätki,
Kangemeeste kodupaika,
Vikerlaste varjuvalda?
Laula, laulik, miks ei laula,
Miks ei, kulla, kuulutele!
Mis ma kukun, kurva lindu,
Mis ma laulan, närtsind nokka?
Noorus närtsinud nõmmessa,
Kolletanud kanarpikku,
Leinakase lehtedela.
Enne, kui õnnes hõiskasin,
Pääva paistel a'asin pilli,
Hõbedasi laululõimeid
Kuldakangaksa kudusin,
Nägin mõnda naljakaida
Salaliku sündimisi,
Imeliku ilmutusi.
Tuule-ema tõstis tiiba,
Marumemme murdis metsa,
Sundis laened sõitemaie,
Merel laial mängimaie,
Puistas pilved põgenema,
Põgenema Pikse pakku.
Vaataldes rõõmu-rünkalta
Päikese palge peale
Mõtlin muiste mälestusi,
Vanal ajal sündind asju.
Jooske jõudsamalt, jõgedad,
Tulge, künkad, tunnistama,
Metsad, märku andemaie,
Salgud, sala sõnaldama!
Lausa tõuseb laulu ilu
Kui see päike pilve paisust,
Ajab meele ärkamaie,
Mõtted lustil mõlkumaie.
Kaugelt nään koda kasvama,
Kalevide kaljulinna,
Tammed müüridel tugiksa,
Kaljurahnud seina katteks,
Toomingad toa tahaje.
Minu kõrva kostab kohin
Langeva mere laenesta,
Kõikumata kaljukünkast,
Mis jäid marust murdemata,
Tuulehoost tuiskamata,
Vihmaveesta veeremata.
Sahkageme sõnasida
Vanajutu jälgedele,
Raudse põlve radadele!
Muiste leiti Kalevalas
Kangemeeste kasusida
Mitmes külas kasvamaies,
Mitmes talus tõusemaies,
Mis kui taaralaiste taimed,
Võidulaiste võsukesed
Sureliku eide sülest
Seie ilma siginenud.
Vanaisa kuulsad pojad,
Targa nõude nikutajad,
Targa tööde toimetajad,
Pidid sõbrust sobitama
Närtsiliku neidudega,
Kuni neid'de nõdrad rüpped
Poja-kandjaks paisusivad.
Sealtap tõusis kuulus sugu,
Kange Kalevide seltsi,
Mehed kui tammed tugevad.
Põhja piirel seisis pere,
Tugev talu kaljudele
Taara tammemetsa ääres,
Pool veel seisis metsa peidus,
Teine pool lausa lagedal.
Peres kasvis kolmi poega,
Taaralaiste taimekesi.
Üks neist veeres Venemaale,
Teine tuiskas Turjamaale,
Kolmas istus kotka selga,
Põhjakotka tiiva peale.
See, kes veeres Venemaale,
Kasvis kauniks kaubameheks,
Poe-poordide punujaks,
See, kes tuiskas Turjamaale,
Sirgus vapraks sõameheks,
Tõusis tapperi tautajaks.
See, kes sõitis kotka seljas,
Põhjakotka tiiva peale,
Lendas palju, liuges palju,
Lendas tüki lõune poole,
Teise tüki tõusu poole,
Sõitis üle Soome mere,
Liuges üle Lääne mere,
Veeres üle Viru mere,
Kunni õnne kohendusel,
Jumalikul juhatusel
Kotkas kõrge kalju peale
Viskas mehe Viru randa.
Meie maale tulnud meesi
Riiki kohe rajatanud,
Laia valda asutanud,
Kena koja ehitanud,
Kust ta vägev-volil käsi
Laia valda valitsemas.
Muud ei meie murudele,
Meie laia luhadele
Vanajutu jälgedessa
Kalevi-taadist kuulutud,
Tulemisest tähte antud.
Kuida Kalev kosjas käinud
Noorikuda nõudemaies,
Sellest salasõnumida
Pihkva piirelt pärisime,
Kuida laulus lõksutame,
Kuldakeelil kuulutame.
Läänes elas noori leske,
Naine üksina talunes,
Kes kui tuba toeta,
Hoone seinad katukseta.
Läks ta karja saatemaie
Pühapääva hommikula,
Argipääva aegadele.
Mis ta leidis karjateelta,
Sõrge jälgilt tallermaalta,
Küla kiige alt vainulta?
Leidis kana karjateelta,
Tedremuna tallermaalta,
Vareksepoja vainulta.
Leske võttis kana kaissu,
Pistis tedremuna põue,
Võttis leina lepituseks,
Kurvastuse kustutuseks,
Kodulapsiks kasvamaie;
Viskas vareksepoegada
Ripakülle põlle rüppe;
Viis neid kolmina koduje,
Kandis salakamberije,
Kivist tehtud kelderije.
Võttis kätte villa-vaka,
Pani paari haudumaie,
Muna alla, kana peale,
Kaane alla kasvamaie.
Seadis sigimise-vaka
Salve sõrvale seisama;
Viskas siis vareksepoja
Kassinurka kerstu taha.
Kasvis kana, haudus muna;
Kana kasvis kaane alla,
Tedremuna tiiva alla,
Kasvis kuu, paisus kaksi,
Kasvis kortel kolmat kuuda,
Nädala ehk neljat kuuda,
Peale paari päävakesta.
Lesk läks aita vaatamaie,
Kasulapsi katsumaie,
Mis seal kasvis kaane alta?
Kanast kasvis kena neitsi,
Tedremunast teine tütar;
Kanast sai , sula neitsi,
Tedrest , libe neitsi.
Mis sai vareksepojasta
Kassinurgas kerstu taga?
Vareksest sai vaenelapsi,
Ohtupäine orjatüdruk,
Tuletungla torgitava,
Kaelakoogu konksitava.
Salmel käisid kosilased,
Viied, kuued viinakruusid,
Seitse sala kuulajada,
Kaheksa kaugelt vaatajat;
Käisid kõrged kosilased:
Üks oli kuu, teine pääva,
Kolmas tähte poisikene.
Tuli kuu poisikene,
Kahva-palgil peiukene,
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Tahtis Salme kaasaks saada,
Neidu kihlul kinnitada.
Salme mõistis, kostis kohe,
Hüüdis aga aidastana,
Kõneles kivikojasta:
"Ei mina, kuld, lähä kuule,
Hõbe, ei ööde valgusele!
Kuul on kolmi ammetida,
Kuus veel ise toimetusi;
Korra tõuseb koidikul,
Vahel pääva veerangul,
Korra pääva tõusengul;
Vahest ta väsib varagi,
Vahest enne valgeheida,
Vahest peab vahti päävalgi,
Luurib laia lõune'ela."
Kuu läks kurvalte koduje,
Paistis minnes nukral palgel.
Tuli päike poisikene,
Põlevsilmil peiukene,
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila;
Tahtis Salme kaasaks saada,
Neidu kihlul kinnitada.
Salme mõistis, hüüdis vasta:
"Ei mina, kuld, läinud kuule,
Hõbepärga põlgab pääva!
Pääval palju viisisida,
Mitmel kombel muudemisi;
Palavaste paistab pääva,
Heledaste heidab ilma.
Kui on hele heina-aega,
Siis ta vihmada vihistab;
Kui on kallis kaerakülvi,
Siis ta põudada põristab,
Kaerakülvije kautab,
Odrad põllule põletab,
Linad liitis liivikuie,
Herned vagude vahele,
Tatterad toa tahaje,
Läätsed käänas kändärije;
Kui on ruuge rukkileikus,
Siis ta kasteta kahistab,
Uduvihmada varistab."
Pääv läks puhkedes koduje,
Paistis minnes põua-palgel,
Kõrvetuse kurjusela.
Siis tuli kolmas kosilane,
Tuli tähte poisikene,
Põhjanaela vanem poega,
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Tahtis Salme kaasaks saada,
Neidu kihlul kinnitada.
Salme hüüdis aidastana,
Pajatas poordi-kamberist:
"Talli viige tähe hobune,
Tähe lauku latterije,
Tähe ruuna roka juure,
Ette see ihutud seina,
Taha see tahutud seina!
Heitke ette heinasida,
Kandke ette kaerasida,
Ette sulpi suupäralta,
Ette rokka rohkemasta,
Ette vahtu valgemada!
Peitke peenije linuje,
Katke laia kanga alla,
Varjage siidivaibala,
Silmad sammeti magama,
Kabjad kaeraje lebama!
Tähele minagi lähän,
Tähele, armas, annan kätta,
Lähän kulda kaasakeseks.
Tähel on sirevad silmad,
Meelemõtted mõlkumata;
Täht ei raiska viljategu,
Ega riku rukkileikust.
Tähte-poega istutage
Ette see ihutud laua,
Taha see tahutud seina,
Alla pinki pihlakane,
Ette laia söömalauda,
Palakad peale katetud!
Kandke kalad laua peale,
Lihad peiu ligemale,
Kandke magusamad maugud,
Pulma-sepikud peiule,
Meevaagnad mehe ette;
Kandke lauale õllekannud,
Mõdupeekerid magusad!"
Tähte tuppa kutsutie,
Söömalauale paluti.
Eit aga leske pajateles:
"Sööge, tähte, jooge, tähte,
Elage, tähte, rõõmulan!"
Tähte mõõkada teristas,
Kuldahelkuda helistas,
Kannuskardada käristas,
Raudakandada raksatas:
"Ei taha süüa, eidekene,
Ei taha juua, eidekene,
Ega ei rõõmulan elada;
Tooge mu omane tubaje,
Saatke Salme põrandale!"
Salme kuulis peiu kutsu,
Tähte-poisi tahtemista,
Salme hüüdis aidastana,
Üle õue hoone'esta:
"Peiukene, poisikene,
Kaugelt tulnud külaline,
Annid aega kasvadessa,
Salmel aega sirgudessa,
Anna aega ehtidessa,
Pulmariide pandanessa!"
"Lippa, Linda, lendevjalga,
Lenda, õdeda, kamberije,
Karga ehtede kerstule!
Too mulle kuued kalevised,
Särgid udu-siidilised,
Käiksed kullakirjalised,
Vikelised villasukad,
Litterissa linikud,
Ruutulised kaelarätted!"
Eite hüüdis nurgastana,
Kasuema kamberista:
"Sööge, tähte, jooge, tähte,
Elage, tähte, rõõmulan
Pikil pidude päivil."
Tähte kuulis, kostis vasta,
Tähte targaste kõneles:
"Ma'p taha süüa, ma'p taha juua,
Taha ei rõõmulan elada
Pikil pidude päivil,
Enne kui näha saan omada."
Leske mõistis, kostis vasta:
"Ehk tahad, marjuke, magada,
Puhku pikemalt puhata?"
Tähte varmalt vasta kostis,
Tähte targaste kõneles:
"Ma'p taha, marjuke, magada,
Ega pikemalt puhata:
Tähtesilm ei tunne suiku,
Ei ka kulmu kattemista,
Ega laugude langemist.
Tooge mu oma tubaje,
Saatke Salme põrandale,
Kanast kas'nud kaetevale!"
Siis toodi neidu tubaje,
Saad'ti Salme põrandale.
Leske eit ei tunnud tütart,
Kasumemm ei kasvandikku,
Keda sala kamberien
Murueit oli ehitanud,
Metsapiigad valmistanud.
Leske küsis kahtelasta:
"Kas see kuu on, ehk kas pääva,
Ehk kas ehatütar noori?"
Saaja kokku kutsutie,
Pulmalisi palutie
Lustipidu pidamaie:
Sest et tamme Tartu rajalt,
Leppa linna uulitsalta
Juurtega ühte jooksenud,
Ladvila kokku langenud.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie!
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Tuli kuu teisel korral
Pulma-ilu pilli peale
Lääne talusse tagasi,
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila;
Tahtis tedremunast tütre,
Linda endal liivitseda.
Vennad tahtsid kuude'ele,
Õde ööde kuningale;
Lind' ei tahtnud kuule minna,
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"Ei mina, kulda, lähä kuule,
Hõbe, ei ööde kuningale!
Kuul on kuusi ammetida,
Viis veel isevalmistusi,
Tosin teisi tallitusi;
Vahest varagi tõuseb,
Vahest tõuseb valgehela,
Vahest uputab uduje,
Katab palge kastenarma,
Vahest peidab pilvetie,
Korra tõuseb koidikula,
Korra koidu keske'ela,
Korra kaub ta koguniste,
Jätab valda vahtimata."
Kuu lääb koju kurval meelel,
Pahandus paistab palgesta,
Kurjus silma kulmulta.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Harju tantsi hakatie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie.
Tähte-peig ja Saime-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Seal tuli teine kosilane
Pulma-ilu pilli peale
Teist kord õnne katsumaie:
Tuli päike pärganale
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Ise tuli täku seljas;
Tahtis Linda liivitseda,
Tedre tütre naiseks võtta;
Vennad tahtsid päikesele,
Õde pääva pealikule;
Lind' ei tahtnud pääva-peigu,
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"Ei ma, kuld, lää päikesele,
Hõbe, ei pääva pealikule!
Pääv teeb pahada palju:
Jätab linad liivikuie,
Kaera seemeta kautab,
Odrad põllule põletab,
Nisud nurmele närtsitab,
Rukkid vagude vahele;
Paistab suvel pikka aega,
Talvel ei tule tuppagi."
Pääv lähäb puhkedes lävelta,
Kõrvetab põua-palaval.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Harju tantsi hakatie,
Lääne tantsi lõhutie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie.
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Seal tuli kolmas kosilane
Pulma-ilu pilli peale,
Tuli vesi veerevala
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Ise vesihalli seljas,
Tahtis Linda liivitseda,
Tedre tütre naiseks võtta.
Vennad tahtsid vettedele,
Õde voode kuningale;
Lind' ei tahtnud vettedele,
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"Ei ma, kuld, lää vettedele,
Hõbe, ei voode kuningale!
Vood on kurjad veeremaie,
Laened pahad langemaie,
Allikad harunemaie,
Jõed jõledad jooksemaie."
Vesi veeres pisarpillil,
Laene leinates koduje,
Voolas kurvaste väravast.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Harja tantsi hakatie,
Lääne tantsi lõhutie,
Järva tantsi jändatie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie.
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Seal tuli neljas kosilane
Pulma-ilu pilli peale,
Tuli tuuli tuisateles
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Ise tuulis täku seljas,
Tahtis Linda liivitseda,
Tedre tütre naiseks võtta.
Vennad tahtsid tuuledele,
Õde soovis õhkudele;
Lind' ei tahtnud tuuledele,
Ega õhu ülemale.
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"Ei ma, kuld, lää tuuledele,
Hõbe, ei õhu ülemale!
Tuuled kurjad tuiskamaies,
Marud hullud möllamaies,
Õhud liiga õrnad peiud."
Tuul lähäb tuisates koju,
Ei pea pikka pahandusta,
Ega tuska tunnikesta.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Harju tantsi hakatie,
Lääne tantsi lõhutie,
Järva tantsi tallatie,
Tartu tantsi jändatie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie!
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Seal tuli viies kosilane
Pulma-ilu pilli peale,
Lääne talu lävedele,
Tuli Kungla kuninga poeg
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Ise kuldatäku seljas;
Tahtis Linda liivitseda,
Tedre tütre naiseks võtta;
Vennad tahtsid Kungla peigu,
Õde kuninga pojale;
Lind' ei tahtnud Kungla peigu,
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"Ei ma, kuld, lää kuningale,
Hõbe, ei Kungla poisile:
Kuningal on tütred kurjad,
Kes mind, võõrast, vihkaksivad."
Kungla peig lääb kurjal tujul
Vand'des välja väravasta.
Ristitantsi tantsitie,
Viru tantsi veeretie,
Harju tantsi hakatie,
Lääne tantsi lõhutie,
Järva tantsi jändatie,
Tartu tantsi tallatie,
Oma tantsi õpitie,
Sõre-liiva sõtkutie,
Murupinda piinatie!
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Seal tuli kuues kosilane
Pulma-ilu pilli peale,
Tuli Kalev, kange meesi
Viiekümmenel hobusel,
Kuuekümmenel kutsarila,
Ise uhke täku seljas;
Tahtis Linda liivitseda,
Tedre tütre naiseks võtta.
Vennad ei tahtnud Kalevile,
Leske keelas kanget võtta.
Lind' aga tahtis Kalevile,
Linda hüüdis saunastana,
Linda padjusta pajatas,
Ebemesta heitis keelta:
"See mul meesi meele pärast,
Sellel' kihlad kinnitame."
Kalev tuppa kutsutie,
Laua taha. istutie;
Ette see ihutud laua,
Taha see tahutud seina,
Kangad seina katte'eksa;
Ette see hõbeda kannu,
Kallis kuldane peeker,
Sisse see mõdu magusa,
All on meski, peal on vahtu,
Keskel on õlut punane.
Leske palus leiba võtta,
Salme palus mokka kasta:
" Sööge, Kalev, jooge, Kalev,
Maitsege meie magusad,
Kastke kurku pulmakannust,
Vikelisest viinakruusist!
Elage, Kalev, rõõmulan
Pikil pidude päivil!"
Kalev mõõkada teristas,
Kuldahelkuda helistas,
Kannuskardada käristas,
Rahapungada raksatas,
Targal keelila kõneles:
"Ei taha süüa, eidekene,
Ei taha juua, noorikukene,
Maitseda ei teie magusad,
Katsuda ei teie kibedad,
Ega rõõmulan elada;
Tooge mu oma tubaje,
Laske Linda põrandale,
Tedre tütar teiste sekka!"
Linda mõistis, kostis vasta:
"Peiukene, poisikene!
Annid aega kasvadessa,
[Piigal pikka paisudessa,]
Sõstrasilmal sirgudessa:
Anna aega ehtidessa!
Kaua ehib see isata,
Kaua ehib see emata,
Kaua vaene vööda läksi,
Kaua kroogib käikseida;
Ei ole eite ehtimassa,
Vanemad valmistamassa,
Sugulasi soovitamas,
Õdesi õnne andemas.
Küla eided ehitavad,
Vanad naised valmistavad,
Küla annab külma nõu,
Rahvas raudessa südame."
Kalev ei võtnud kannust märga,
Ega toitu tugevuseks,
Ega maitsend pulma-ilu.
Linda hüüdis aidastana,
Palve keelil kivikeldrist:
"Tule, vares, vaenelapsi,
Põlgtud orjapiigakene,
Kassinurgas kasv'nud tüdruk,
Lenna kui liblikakene
Kiirelt ehtekerstudele:
"Too mulle uus udusärki
Peale see ilusa ihu,
Too mulle tohine särki
Peale see keha kenama;
Too mulle rukka roomekirja
Peale see uduse särgi;
Too mulle teine tähteline
Üle tohise undruku;
Too vöö vaherpuu kirja
Ümber nirgu niudedie,
Ümber luikena tühemeid;
Too mulle kirjuvad käiksed
Neiu kõrge rinna katteks;
Too mulle rätik räime karva,
Peale see kirjuva käikse,
Valge kaelale varjuksa;
Too mulle kuube kuldatoime,
Poordist pärgina pähäda!"
Eite hüüdis nurgastana,
Kasuema kamberista:
"Sööge, Kalev, jooge, Kalev,
Elage, Kalev, rõõmulan
Pikil pidude päivil;
Tähte-peig ja Salme-neidu
Peavad pikka pulma-ilu!"
Kalev mõistis, kostis vasta,
Kange mees targaste kõneles:
"Ma'p taha süüa, ma'p taha juua,
Taha ei rõõmulan elada
Pikil pidude päivil.
Tooge tuppa mu omada,
Laske Linda põrandale,
Tedre tütar teiste sekka!"
Siis toodi neidu tubaje,
Lasti Linda põrandale,
Tedre tütar teiste hulka.
Leske eit ei tunnud tütart,
Kasumemm ei kasvandikku,
Keda sala kamberien
Murueit oli ehitanud,
Metsapiigad valmistanud.
Leske küsis kahtelasta:
"Kas see kuu on, ehk kas pääva,
Ehk kas ehatütar noori?"
Linda mõistis, kostis vasta:
"See'p ole kuu, ei ole pääva,
Ega ehatütar noori;
See on kodu kasv'nud lapsi,
Tedremunast tõusnud tütar."
Kalev kosis kulda neidu,
Võttis Linda kodukanaks,
Võttis kalliks kaisutavaks,
Ajaviitvaks armukeseks.
Saaja kokku kutsutie,
Pulmalisi palutie
Lustipidu pidamaie;
Sest et tamme Tartu rajalt,
Leppa linna uulitsalta
Juurtega ühte jooksenud,
Ladvila kokku langenud.
Ristitantsi tantsigeme,
Viru tantsi veeregeme,
Harju tantsi astugeme,
Lääne tantsi lendageme,
Järva tantsi jättageme,
Oma tantsi hoidageme:
Senni kui tõuseb sõrga soosta,
Sõrga soosta, märga maasta,
Veerik varvaste vahelta
Kerikanne keske'elta!
Kalev-peig ja Linda-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Täht hakkab koju minema,
Kutsub Salme saajasta,
Kana lustikamberista,
Kus see tuba toesta tehtud,
Katuksest on kallutatud,
Hernevarsista valatud
Tähte astub eide ette,
Tänab pidu ja pajatab:
"Jumalaga, eidekene!
Jumalaga, pulmalised!
Jumalaga, kälimees Kalev!
Jumalaga, nadu noori!
Ära viin nüüd Salmekese,
Ära noore nugissilma:
Eit ei saa Salme nägema,
Õde ei Salme õnne tundma.
Nutke, Salme vennakesed,
Nutke, Lääne neitsikesed:
Ju teilt Salme viidanekse,
Pilve taha peidetakse,
Ehaneiuks heidetakse,
Taeva alla tõstetakse."
Salme hüüdis pisarsilmil,
Salme saanista pajatas:
"Ema, hella memmekene!
Ära pean mina minema,
Hani hulgasta ujuma,
Tedre teista lahkumaie,
Luige lustilt lendamaie;
Part lähän parve äärdane,
Luige kelgel lunda mööda,
[Jõhvikas jõgeda mööda],
Sinikas sula sooda mööda;
Tuleb tuuli tõstamaie,
Õhku armas aitamaie!"
Õde hüüdis õuestana,
Kasuema kamberista,
Orjatüdruk nurga tagant:
"Kuhu meie Salme viia,
Kuhu kulli kandis kana?"
Tuulehoog tõi tervisida,
Vihmapisar silmavetta,
Kaste kadund lapse kurba.
Muud saand Salmelt ei sõnumid.
Kalevite pulma-ilu
Kestab kenast kaugemale.
Ristitantsi tantsigeme,
Viru tantsi veeregeme,
Harju tantsi astugeme,
Lääne tantsi lendageme,
Järva tantsi jättageme,
Oma tantsi hoidageme,
Senni kui tõuseb sõrga soosta,
Sõrga soosta, märga maasta,
Veerik varvaste vahelta,
Kerikanne keske'elta!
Kalev-peig ja Linda-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
Kodu käinud, neitsikene,
Kodu käinud viied viinad,
Viied viinad, kuued kruusid,
Seitsmed sala kuulijaida,
Kaheksa kaugelt vaatajad.
"Kui on käinud, käigu nemad!
Ei väsi värava sammas,
Katke ei venna kaevu kooku
Pidades peiu hoosta,
Kandes vaskivaljasida.
Et las käia teised viied,
Teised viied, teised kuued,
Teised seitsmed sala kuuljad,
Kaheksad kaugelt vaatajad.
Parem jään ma peiust ilma,
Enne kui pulm jääb poolikule."
Ristitantsi tantsigeme,
Viru tantsi veeregeme,
Harju tantsi astugeme,
Lääne tantsi lendageme,
Järva tantsi jättageme,
Oma tantsi hoidageme:
Senni kui tõuseb sõrga soosta,
Sõrga soosta, märga maasta,
Veerik varvaste vahelta,
Kerikanne keske'elta!
Kalev-peig ja Linda-neidu
Pidasivad pulma-ilu!
"Tule, vares, vaenelapsi,
Ohtupäine orjapiiga,
Raske raudatöö tegija,
Võta kaelakoogud kätte,
Köida ämbrid kookudesse;
Mine, too meresta vetta,
Jookse, too joajõesta,
Käi, too kärme allikasta!"
Uinusin ootamaie,
Viibisin vaatamaie,
Kudas need kalad kuduvad,
Kuda lutsu lööneb loovi,
Isahavid heitelevad,
Emasärjed seadelevad.
Viibisin vähe pikale,
Tunnikeseks tukkumaie.
Hakkasin koju minema,
Pulma pilli tõstis jalga.
Tuli vasta pere-eite,
Küsis, kus ma pikka ööda,
Poole pääva aega viitnud?
"Minu hella eidekene,
Eks sa tea noore viitu,
Vaeselapse lustisida?
Noorel viisi viivitusta,
Kuus veel jalakammitsaida,
Seitse sammusidujaida!
Uinusin ootamaie,
Viibisin vaatamaie,
Kudas need kalad kuduvad,
Kuda lutsu lööneb loovi,
Isahaugid heitelevad,
Emasärjed seadelevad.
Viibisin vähe pikale,
Tunnikeseks tukkumaie."
Ristitantsi tantsigeme!
Oma tantsi hoidageme:
Senni kui tõuseb sõrga soosta,
Sõrga soosta, märga maasta,
Veerik varvaste vahelta,
Kerikanne keske'elta!
Kalev hakkab koju minema,
Kutsub Linda saaja'asta,
Tedre tütre teiste seltsist,
Luike lustipidulta.
Linda hüüab üle ukse:
"Jookse, poiss, jooda hobune,
Palgapoiss, pane sadula,
Käskujalga, kääna saani,
Saani aisad akenaie,
Saani küljed künniksele,
Saani kolju vasta koitu!"
Siis ta lähäb lese poole
Jumalaga jättamaie:
"Jumalaga, kasuema!
Ära pean mina minema,
Luige parvesta lendama,
Kotkas külasta lahkuma;
Ära pean hädast minema,
Ära häista rahvakesest,
Paremasta paikudesta,
Tuttavasta taludesta!
Pidu peab pärale jääma,
Pulm peab jääma poolikule,
Õlled otsaje ujuma,
Saiad saama kannikale."
Siis ta, armas, astus saani,
Kargas kõpstes peiu kõrva.
Kalev pani pika koiva
Vööde kombel neiu ümber,
Teine jalga saanist väljas.
Kalev kannusta käristas,
Kuldahelkuda helistas:
"Oh Linda, minu omane!
Mis sina koju unustid?
Kolmed sa koju unustid:
Kuu jäi koja lävele,
See sinu vana isada;
Pääv jäi peale aida villu,
See sinu vana onuda;
Kased kamberi lävele,
Need su virved vennikesed,
Läänes kasv'nud lellepojad." —
"Kui on jäänud, jäägu peale,
Ukko annab uue õnne;
Kuhu teeda tallatie,
Rada ette rajatie,
Senna peab saadik sadama!"
Kuu jäi kurvast vaatamaie,
Pahal meelel paistis pääva,
Kased nutavad kamberin.
Linda, lind, ei tunnud leina,
Tund ei teiste kurvastusi,
Linda lendis peiu armul,
Sõitis kaasa sõudemisel
Üle laia lagedaida,
Läbi paksu metsasida,
Sõitis pääval päikse valgel,
Öösel hõbesõlge valul:
Kalevide koju poole,
Kaasa siidikamberije,
Kus oli seatud kena sängi,
Padjuline puhkepaika.

Source Colophon

The Estonian text of the Kalevipoeg is in the public domain. Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882) compiled this verse epic from Estonian oral tradition and folk songs, published 1857–1861. This digital text is sourced from the Project Gutenberg edition, preserving the first edition orthography.

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