The Seven Rooms

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 XIV continues directly from Canto XIII — Kalevipoeg is still in Sarvik's underworld, shrunken to a small size, playing children's games with the captive maidens. The next day, the maidens show him the seven rooms of the Horned One's palace, each built of a finer material than the last: iron, copper, silver, gold, silk, velvet, and brocade. Beyond the rooms lies a courtyard paved with coins, holding seven granaries of ascending wonder. The maidens explain Sarvik's dominion over the dead, warn Kalevipoeg that no living soul escapes, and beg him to flee using the wishing-cap. He refuses, boasting of his strength. In secret, the maidens swap the two glasses on Sarvik's bedpost — the strength-giving drink and the strength-sapping drink — so the Horned One will drink weakness by mistake. Sarvik arrives with thundering footsteps, mocks the small stranger, and agrees to wrestle. At a pause in the evenly-matched fight, Kalevipoeg uses the wishing-cap to grow to tree-height, seizes Sarvik, and drives him into the earth like a post. But before Kalevipoeg can shackle him, the Horned One shrinks and melts into the ground, vanishing into a puddle of blue water. Kalevipoeg takes the sword and loads of gold, places the three maidens on top, and wishes them to the cave-mouth — then burns the wishing-cap in the fire. The maidens weep at its loss, but Kalevipoeg promises them summer, suitors, and freedom. They depart singing a joyful song toward the daylight.

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 (#25062). The parallelism and alliteration of Estonian regivärss are preserved in the line structure. No existing English translation was consulted as a source.

Part One — The Singer's Prologue

(Lines 1–35)

Were the singer-son still younger,
Were he what he once had been
In spring's fair beauty,
At the edge of summer's boundary,
Then he would sing the livelong day,
Sing through the winter night as well,
Sing merrily a week perhaps,
Calling cuckoo half a month
Of Kalev's son's fair sport
With the underworld maidens,
Sing till the forests roared,
The cliffs leapt up to answer.

But the singer, evening cuckoo,
Swan departed out of summer,
Turns his eyes in longing
To the mornings of his happy days,
To the meadows of his youth,
Where fairer patterns still,
More beautiful fortune-flowers
Were weaving the blanket of joy;
Where still upon his tender breast
Some friend's warm heart
Sighed back in happiness;
Where still on the spring-time grass
At the village swing's lifting
Currant-eyes with friendliness
Shone with tender brightness — —

When will the singer's springtime
Come returning back in love?
Rise, dawn of my singing,
Rise like that sun-seed
Into the eyes of my spirit!
Shine the days of ancient times
Into waking from the dimness,
Into gleaming from the cloud-darkness!

Part Two — Night's End and the Iron Room

(Lines 36–90)

For Kalev's dear son
Beauty did not ride by rivers,
Joy did not run down golden hills;
Beauty was in the long night
Endlessly at the pleasure-feast,
Joy did not let the young man
Find time growing tedious,
Nor merriment to the maidens
Bring the sleep-friend to their eyes.
"Oh, if only for a fright
The sun would not come shining!"
Already many a young one wept,
Mourning the lost hour of love
While it wove upon the loom
Its secret silk.

The old woman, captive in the kitchen,
Sat like a mouse caught in a trap,
Whence she could not
Go to forbid her foster-daughters.

The next day the maidens went
With Kalevipoeg to walk,
Went to show him the house,
To view the treasure-chambers;
Their cheeks still blushed
From the maiden's merriment,
With which the night at happy games
Had passed in pleasantness.

They went through a stone doorway
Under a high stone vault,
Walked along a stone path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a rich room.
The room was made of iron:
Corner-posts of steel,
Iron doors, iron windows,
Iron ceilings and iron floors;
An iron stove stood in the corner,
An iron bath-heater at the stove's end,
An iron dome upon the heater,
An iron bed beside the wall,
An iron table in the middle of the floor,
Iron chairs around the table,
Iron benches by the stove;
The rafters were made of iron,
The rafter-poles beaten from iron,
Iron chests in every corner,
Iron treasure in the chests.

The eldest maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is old Sarvik-Father's
Workshop for his menservants,
Hiding-place for the bondsmen,
Bondsmen's proper quarters:
Here they are tormented, the poor wretches,
Punished in many fashions."

Part Three — The Copper Room

(Lines 91–120)

They went through the iron doorway
Under a high iron vault,
Walked along an iron path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a second room.
The room was made of copper:
The walls were cast in copper,
Corner-posts of white copper,
Wall-beams of red copper,
Copper doors, copper windows,
Copper ceilings and floors;
A copper stove stood in the corner,
A copper heater at the stove's end,
A copper dome upon the heater,
A copper bed beside the wall,
A copper table in the middle of the floor,
Copper chairs around the table,
Copper benches by the stove;
The rafters were made of copper,
The rafter-poles beaten from copper,
Copper chests in every corner,
Copper treasure in the chests.

The eldest maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is old Sarvik-Father's
Workshop for the serving-girls,
Hiding-place for the bond-maidens,
Corner for the spirit-daughters:
Here they are tormented, the poor wretches,
Punished in many fashions."

Part Four — The Silver and Gold Rooms

(Lines 121–183)

They went through the copper doorway
Under a high copper vault,
Walked along a copper path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a third room.
The room was made of silver:
Silver walls around the chamber,
Corners cast in silver,
Silver doors, silver windows,
Silver ceilings and floors;
A silver stove stood in the corner,
A silver heater at the stove's end,
A silver dome upon the heater,
A silver bed beside the wall,
A silver table in the middle of the floor,
Silver chairs around the table,
Silver benches by the stove;
The rafters were made of silver,
The rafter-poles of silver,
Silver chests in every corner,
Silver money in the chests.

The second maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is old Sarvik-Father's
Everyday room,
Workaday dwelling-place,
Chamber for refreshing his body.
Here he rests each day,
Keeps his easy little life."

They went through the silver doorway
Under a high silver vault,
Walked along a silver path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a fourth room.
The room was made of gold:
The walls were made of gold,
Corners cast in gold,
Golden doors, golden windows,
Golden ceilings and floors;
A golden stove stood in the corner,
A golden heater at the stove's end,
A golden dome upon the heater,
A golden bed beside the wall,
A golden table in the middle of the floor,
Golden chairs around the table,
Golden benches by the stove;
The rafters were made of gold,
The rafter-poles beaten from gold,
Every household thing of gold,
Golden chests in every corner,
Golden money in the chests.

The second maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is old Sarvik-Father's
Feast-day chamber,
Room for pleasure-keeping,
Dear little joy-chamber.
Here he rests on feast-days,
Tastes a sweeter life,
A happier time.
Here I yesterday the livelong day
Was polishing the gold,
Sweeping the feast-chamber clean."

Part Five — The Silk, Velvet, and Brocade Rooms

(Lines 184–297)

They went through the golden doorway,
Through the golden gateway
Under a high golden vault,
Walked along a golden path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a fifth room,
A fair little silk-chamber.
The room was made of silk,
Set up on silken cords,
Propped upon secret pillars;
The walls were made of silk,
Corners knotted out of silk,
Silk doors, silk windows,
Silk ceilings and floors,
Silk beds beside the walls,
Silk pillows in the beds,
Silk covers over the table,
Silk spreads upon the chairs;
Silk garments hung
All around upon the walls,
Silk cords along the chamber
Drooped under silk,
Great chests stood in the corners,
Silk cloth in the chests.

The third maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is the maidens' dressing-room,
Chamber for the young maidens.
Here they, tender ones, adorn themselves,
Braid their feast-day garments,
Put on blue silk ribbons,
Red-coloured clasps,
Rome-coloured loops,
When it is the silk-maidens' feast,
The young maidens' day."

They went through the silk doorway,
Through the silk gateway
Under a high silk vault,
Walked along a silk path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a sixth room,
A fine little velvet-chamber.
The room was made of velvet,
Set up on velvet cords,
Secret pillars propped beneath;
The walls were made of velvet,
Corners bound with velvet,
Velvet doors, velvet windows,
Velvet ceilings and floors,
Velvet beds beside the walls,
Velvet pillows in the beds,
Velvet covers over the table,
Velvet spreads upon the chairs;
Great velvet carpets
Ran along the floor,
Velvet cords along the chamber
Drooped into velvet.
Great chests stood in the corners,
Velvet cloth in the chests,
Other velvet bales
Stood stacked beside the chests.

The third maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is the maidens' dressing-room,
Chamber for the young maidens.
Here they, young ones, adorn themselves,
Braid their feast-day garments,
Put on blue velvet,
Clasp on red adornments,
When it is the velvet-maidens' feast,
The velvet-maidens' day."

They went through the velvet doorway,
Through the velvet gateway
Under a high velvet vault,
Walked along a velvet path
A stretch of land still further;
There they found a seventh room.
The room was made of brocade,
A fair little brocade-chamber,
Woven out of brocade,
Set up on brocade cords
With the prop of secret pillars.
The walls were made of brocade,
Corners woven out of brocade,
Brocade doors, brocade windows,
Brocade ceilings and floors,
Brocade beds beside the walls,
Brocade pillows in the beds,
Brocade covers over the table,
Brocade spreads upon the chairs;
Brocade garments hung
All around upon the walls,
Brocade cords along the chamber
Drooped under brocade;
Great chests stood in the corners,
Brocade bales in the chests,
Stacked beside the chests stood piles
Of finer veils and wimples,
Other piles of headcloths,
A third heap of loops.

The third maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"This is the maidens' dressing-room,
Chamber for the young maidens.
Here the young ones adorn themselves,
Put brocade upon their heads,
When it is the brocade-maidens' feast,
The young maidens' day."

They went through the brocade doorway,
Through the brocade gateway
Under a high brocade vault,
Walked along a brocade path
A stretch of land still further;
Then they came out into the yard,
Where was neither grass nor earth.
The ground was paved with shining coin,
The lane of thalers made.

Part Six — The Courtyard of Seven Granaries

(Lines 298–328)

In the yard stood seven barns,
Seven barns of secret making.
One was a barn of stone,
Built of iron-stone,
The second barn was made of slab,
Fashioned of broad slabs of slate,
The third barn was of hen-egg
Wondrously constructed,
The fourth barn was of goose-egg
By secret craft assembled,
The fifth barn was of vetch-stone,
Of cut stone raised,
The sixth barn was of eagle-egg
By miracle constructed,
The seventh barn was of Siuru-egg
In its own fashion set.
One barn was full of rye,
The second barn of barley,
The third barn full of oats,
The fourth was filled with wheat,
The fifth barn held linseed,
The sixth a porridge-grain barn,
The seventh barn was full of lard,
Packed to bursting with cooking-fat.
Behind the yard were stables,
Quarters for the herd-beasts;
The stables were built of bones,
Assembled out of joints.

Part Seven — The Domain of Sarvik

(Lines 329–441)

Kalev's dear son
Did not go to view the stables,
But began to ask the matter,
To question the maidens:
Who might this famous Sarvik-Father
Be by his lineage?

The eldest maiden, slender,
Understood at once and answered:
"Who his father that begot him,
The mother who nursed him at the breast,
Who rocked him in the cradle's shelter,
Fed him in the swaddling,
Lulled him at the mouth's edge —
Of this we have not heard.
Whether a bear whelped him,
A wolf nursed him in the forest,
A brood-mare played with him,
A goat rocked his cradle —
All of this is hidden under cover,
Concealed from us under veils.

Sarvik has great dominions,
Wide-spreading territories,
Secret roads by the hundreds,
Wind-paths by the thousands,
And there is no living eye
Nor mortal ear anywhere
That has known all his ways,
That has ever heard his goings.

We see how he departs,
We know how he arrives,
The path between is unknown.
Deeper still his dwelling must be
In the hollow earth:
Hollowed out are seven worlds,
Seven secret vaults.
There the realm of shadows,
The villages of shades
Brood in their nests.
The dead generations of people
Old Sarvik governs,
As Taara in his wisdom
At the world's beginning
Had so ordained these things.

With a master's mighty hand
Sarvik governs his dominions;
The shadows receive permission
Each year at All Souls' time
To visit home once,
To look upon their kindred,
To greet those they knew.

At the feasts of the equinox
The spirits fly on wings —
Released from hell's torments —
Through the shadow-realm's gates
In wind-speed rushing
To the meadows grown strange to them,
Where on the paths of joy,
Or else on the roads of tears,
They once in life had walked.
But at the turning of the granted time,
At the end of the feast-weeks,
The sons gone visiting abroad
Must come hastening back
To the shadow-realm's dominions,
Every man to his own household."

The second maiden, speaking,
Set her words to sailing:
"From there old Sarvik-Father
Greets his labourers,
Drives out his helpers:
Sometimes compels the menservants,
Another time the serving-girls
To serve their days of bondage,
Where they, the poor wretches, in the iron chamber
Perform their heavy tasks,
In the copper chamber hard labour
Produce for Sarvik.
The iron rod punishes the lazy,
The copper switch the loiterer.

Here is Sarvik-Father's home,
His proper resting-place,
His body-refreshing chamber,
His back-stretching bed,
Where he in the old woman's company
Now and then passes the time,
Rests for a day or two
When he is tired from a long journey,
Utterly worn from wandering.
Then the old woman scrubs Sarvik
On the shelf of the silver chamber,
Whisking him in the twilight,
Steaming the pains from his sides.
On the longer feast-days,
Then, when larger feasts are held,
Sarvik comes with his friends
In the company of his great kinsmen
To keep his pleasure-feast,
To carouse over ale.

Tühi is his brother-in-law,
The she-devil of hell his aunt,
The white mare his grandmother.
Tonight they expect
Sarvik to come home,
For he does not tarry long
When he walks up above,
Where by day the sun shines,
Moonlight gleams by night,
And star-eyes light the way.
But when he goes below
To the shadow-people's dominions
To carry out his business,
Then he tarries many days,
Tarries weeks on end."

Part Eight — The Maidens' Plea

(Lines 442–584)

The third maiden, slender,
Set her words to sailing:
"If you, Kalev's son,
Coming home by chance,
Should be spied by Sarvik-Father,
You would fall at once into death.
For whoever has come here,
Has lifted his foot across the threshold,
Set his heel upon the floor —
That one shall not escape the mouth of death,
Shall be estranged from the moon's light,
From the shining of the sun.

We, sisters of ill fortune,
Fair maidens, three of us,
Fell in childhood
By misfortune's wind-blast,
By wretchedness's rain-shower
Into serfdom under Sarvik.
From afar we were carried,
Brought from a thousand versts away
From the wide open world,
From the beautiful world's midst
To this village of sorrows,
This household of long torments.

Once there were beautiful days,
When we in a princely garden
Like globeflower-children
Grew up, three together;
Now we must, maidens,
In the existence of serfdom,
Under the iron rod's compulsion,
Obedient to the master's word,
Under the mistress's commands,
Carry out the tasks
That are laid upon us.

Though fiery snow should fall,
Though iron hail should rain,
Though a rod-rain should pour:
Still the serf must serve,
Still the bondswoman must go,
Promptly the orderly must walk,
Quickly the poor child must step,
Before cock-crow the caller,
Before other black birds,
After sundown the swallow.

Taara's grace bestowed on us
Unfading days of youth,
Fortune's springtime age,
Everlasting blush upon our cheeks:
So long as the sheath is unsoiled,
The beauty unplucked,
The bud still unlived."

The eldest maiden, slender,
Set her words to sailing:
"What is youth worth to the wretched,
Fortune's springtime beauty,
Everlasting blush upon the cheeks,
A throbbing berry-feeling,
An unbroken beauty,
If there is none to tend love,
None to save from longing!
Who will come to court the hen,
Who will come to ransom the bird,
To comfort the flat-footed,
To lead the toe-footed from prison,
To entice the mash-footed?
The wind does not come to greet,
The breeze to tenderly caress
The poor imprisoned children."

Kalev's mighty son
Set his words to sailing:
"Young maidens,
Curly-headed beauties,
Do not mourn with sorrowful hearts,
Do not grieve, dear ones!
Sorrowing makes one paler,
Tears spill the blush from cheeks.
I shall rescue the golden ones,
Free the birds from snares,
The hens from hobbles,
Take the frail ones from the nets!
I shall save the golden maidens
From the old woman's prison-bonds,
From Sarvik-Father's fetters,
From the yoke of servitude,
Lead you to the wide brightness,
To the sunshine's shining,
Under the lovely moon's gleam,
To the sight of glittering stars!

Do not weep, young ones,
Do not mourn, golden ones!
Kalev's mighty son
Has strength enough and to spare!
I shall conquer in the contest
Sarvik-Father's servants,
Shackle the old woman,
Ransom the children!"

The eldest maiden, slender,
Set her words to sailing:
"Dear son of Kalev,
Scion of victory-men,
Nursling of the mighty ones,
If you would save the grouse-chicks,
The hens from hobbles,
The birds from snare-cords,
Then you must take the witch-switch,
The fingernail-chip cap,
Otherwise you cannot save even yourself,
Still less us from prison!
Here your mightiness will not hold
Nor will a man's power last,
Nor strength beyond the human.
Sarvik has a hundred fellows,
A thousand servants unknown,
Helpers uncounted,
Counsellors unseen:
Wind-helpers from the sorcerers,
Salt-helpers from the witches,
Helpers of the magic-herbs,
With which strength is bound,
With which power is ensnared,
Vigour is sapped away."

Kalev's mighty son
Took the warnings for a jest,
The maidens' fear for a joke,
Set his words to sailing,
His little song to flying:
"Young maidens,
Curly-headed beauties!
Had you by good fortune
Seen the sport of men,
The fighting of the braver,
The strength-testing of the mightier,
Then you would know
How much a fine man
Can accomplish in a fight.
I do not fear Sarvik,
Fear not his hundred fellows
Nor his demon-thousands!
A mighty hand conquers force;
A strong one already conquered Tühi,
Killed great hosts in Finland,
And shall conquer Sarvik too."

The second maiden, slender,
Set her words to sailing:
"Dear son of Kalev,
Princely mighty man!
If against entreaties,
Heedless of our teaching,
Into temptation's snare
You are minded headlong to go:
Then let no blame rise against us,
No charge against the wretches
For the spilling of a brother's blood,
For wrongful destruction!

One more thing I must say,
Must speak with pleading tongue —
Then do, man, what you will!
If you wish on fortune's path
To escape the bonds of hell,
Then I beg: hurry, man!
Move your feet without delay
To the paths of other roads!
For if Sarvik reaches here,
The cave-door falls shut,
The gate of the pit is locked.
There is no escape,
No hope of getting free.
Take the fingernail-chip cap,
Wish yourself a sending-home
Before the time of fortune fades,
Before the merry life runs out!"

Part Nine — The Secret Plan

(Lines 614–677)

Kalev's mighty son
Took the maiden's fear for a jest,
The home-hen's fright:
He thought: "A man is still worth a man,
Victory stays with the stronger.
If the cave collapses on me,
I shall dig myself a new cave,
Carve a second mine-shaft,
Through which I'll get home."

The maidens, sorrowful in spirit,
Since they could not save their brother,
Help their beloved,
Began devising secret plans,
How they three together
By a cunning contrivance
Might manage to help their beloved.

At the bedpost stood ready
Sarvik-Father's secret tools,
Helpers in time of need:
Two glasses of the same colour
Filled with ale-like liquors,
Both of the same measure
Filled to halfway.
Yet the liquors, they were kin
But in power quite estranged,
As night is to the day:
One was a liquor of ten oxen's might,
A strength-increasing drink;
The other a liquor of a thousand hungers,
A strength-diminishing drink.
On the right side of the bedpost
Stood the strength-begetter,
On the left side of the bedpost
Stood the strength-destroyer.

The eldest sister stealthily
Switched the glasses in the bedposts,
Put each in the other's place,
Set strength on the left side,
Weakness on the right side:
So that when Sarvik takes his power,
He swallows weakening at once.

The second sister took the switch,
The one that creates bridges.

When they had thus, three together,
Accomplished their secret deeds,
From far away was heard a rumbling,
From the cave-ceiling a crashing.
The eldest maiden trembling,
The second going pale with fright,
The third maiden, slender,
Set her words to sailing:
"Dear son of Kalev!
Now, lion, you are in the trap,
Honeypaw, in the pinch,
In the captive-net, little brother!
Sarvik is already riding,
Heading homeward at a gallop!
He treads the cave-road already,
His steps echo from the cave-mouth,
The heel-thunder from above.
No hope of getting free,
No place of refuge to be found!
Try the profit of your strength,
Of your iron-might, your helper!"

Part Ten — The Wrestling Match

(Lines 678–836)

As if a host of horses
Were galloping on a stone bridge,
A heavier iron-wagon train
Rolling on a copper road,
The thunder-father's crashings
Had shaken the surface of the earth —
So Sarvik-Father's footsteps
Made the cave-dome shudder.

Kalev's mighty son
Stood without flinching from his place,
Stood like an oak in the storm,
Like the cliff-face in the breakers,
Like a stone in a hailstorm,
A strong tower in the wind's blast.

Behind the door the footstep swelled,
The movement came ever closer.
Already the fist was cracking,
Hammering at the gate-posts,
The mighty hand crashing,
The door about to be destroyed,
Already the foot across the threshold
Stepped upon the chamber floor;
There the footstep halted,
Strange eyes staring,
Wondering from where came
The hawk among the hens,
The wolf among the flock?
The maidens paling with fear,
Three of them trembling.

Kalev's mighty son,
Still in the form of a small child,
The wishing-cap in hand,
Was standing by the back wall,
No bigger than the tallest maiden,
No braver than a cock among hens.

Sarvik-Father began to speak,
To jeer in mockery:
"Who lured you into the net, little brother,
Who brought you to the snare, little bird?
Honey-tongued enticements
Have fooled many a lad before.
Already boldness in the boldest,
Already might in the mightiest
Has unwittingly broken their necks,
The reckless ones already destroyed.
There is no escape from here beneath the sun
Nor hope of getting free!"

Kalev's mighty son
Answered back with cunning:
"The wind is an empty manager,
The storm an ignorant fellow!
Scolding with words,
Quarrelling with anger,
The clacking of jaw-bones —
These are the ancient war of women,
The bickering of the quarrelsome.
From chatter comes no peacemaker,
From words no war-ender,
From oaths no anger-quencher.
The tongue is the worst inciter,
Words are quarrel-breeders.

Let us go outside to the open ground
To wrestle for the prize:
Which of us shall throw the other
In the contest of strength?
Victory's right to the winner,
Judgment into the stronger's hands."

Sarvik-Father spoke:
"Let your wishing be done,
Man-sport is to my liking!"

Then he strode to the bedpost
To take from the power-glass
A strengthening for his body.
He thought the glass was in its place
Standing in the bedpost.
He poured the liquor quickly down his throat,
Left not a drop at the bottom.

Kalev's mighty son
Tucked the cap inside his shirt,
The little fingernail-chip bonnet.
In his mind he was thinking:
"If the pinch grows sharper,
If my strength begins to wane,
Then the cap will make things grow,
The wishing-bonnet, swelling,
Shall straighten out the lad."

When all the preparations
For the wrestling were in order,
They went at once to the green
To try their fortune in the yard.

Sarvik-Father spoke:
"Eldest maiden, slender one,
Go quickly to the chamber!
Take the irons from the iron chest,
The double shackles,
With which the victor shall bind
The loser's heels in hobbles!"

The young daughter fulfilled the command,
Did the father's bidding.

The men went to measure the green,
To set the place by pacing,
Drew the boundaries round about,
Set stakes at the edges,
So that no confusion,
No cheating could arise.

Then they seized each other round the waist,
Gripping the body at its middle,
Testing their strength in this manner,
Which could throw the other down.

There had never been before,
In ancient memory,
Mightier wrestlings
Brought before the eye.

As the sea beneath the storm's command,
At the dancing of the wind's wings,
Hurls the waves into flight,
Into swaying, into surging,
And the whirlwind rising
Strains to tear the roof away —
So the surface of the earth swayed,
The floor of hell trembling
Beneath the wrestlers' power;
The walls of hell were cracking,
The cornerstones were splitting,
The ceiling threatened to fall,
The roof to crash down on their necks.

Long the battle hung between them,
The mighty men's contending,
So that the wisest could not tell,
The cleverest could not predict:
Which would win the kingship,
Which would have his heels bound?

When they had rested a little,
Drawn breath for a moment,
Kalev's son took up
The little fingernail-chip bonnet,
Made his wishes:
Commanded his body to grow,
To stretch in stature,
To swell in thickness.
Kalevipoeg growing,
Stretching in stature,
Swelling in thickness,
Rose into a mightier oak,
Grew to a spruce-tree's height.

Then he seized Sarvik-Father
By the body with his nail-strength,
Shook him with one shaking,
Wrenched him with one wrenching,
Lifted him like a ball of tow
To the height of ten fathoms.
From there he hurled Sarvik-Father
Like a sharpened stake
As a post into the ground to stand.
Sarvik fell in over his shins,
Sank in past his knees,
Sagged nearly to his groin
Into the midst of stone-chips,
Into the sling of sandy gravel,
So that he could not free himself.

Part Eleven — Sarvik's Escape

(Lines 837–881)

Kalev's mighty son
Began to ready the shackles,
To prepare the prison-irons,
With which the captive man's
Limbs could be fettered.
But before the little brother,
Dear son of Kalev,
Could bind the shackle-irons,
Set the chains in place,
Sarvik before his very eyes
Began to shrink smaller;
Shrank a span, shrank two,
Shrank then many spans more,
Dwindled by the cubit,
Melted then as into a bog
Into the earth's bosom's hiding
And left no trace behind,
Left not the smallest mark
Save one tiny puddle
Of blue water steaming.

Kalev's mighty son
Began to mock and jeer:
"Who has ever anywhere seen
A stranger wonder in the world?
The hellspawn fled to hiding,
The coward to his bolt-hole,
A bird-chick to the bushes,
A thrush to the thick tangle,
A lizard to the lap of moss,
When they somewhere catch
An unexpected rumbling.

I shall find next time
Sarvik-Father's secret dens,
Bind his shanks in shackles,
Tie him in iron bonds,
So that he cannot flee,
Cannot move a limb.

Today I fulfil my promises,
Free the maidens from hell,
The frail ones from their prison-bonds,
Lead them to the stranger meadows
Under the daylight's shining,
To the merry pastures
To grow beneath the moonlight,
To rise under the stars' eyes."

Part Twelve — The Rescue and the Burning of the Cap

(Lines 882–964)

Kalev's mighty son
Took the sword from the wall-peg,
Put it at his hip in the scabbard;
Took a load of old treasure,
From the gold-chamber several sacks,
Filled several thaler-barrels,
Thalers into the empty sacks,
Small-coin pennies
Perhaps ten sacks' worth;
Then heaved the load upon his shoulders,
Lifted into his arms the little darlings,
The home-hens three,
Put the wishing-bonnet on his head,
Then spoke thus:
"Sail, bonnet, run, bonnet!
Sail us to the cave-mouth,
Where I left my board-load!"

In the twinkling of an eye
They stood in the cave-mouth,
Where the kettle had boiled before.
The kettle with the cooks
Had vanished from the cave-mouth;
A few fire-torches
Still flickered on the flames.

Kalev's dear son
Blew the fire into burning,
The flame back into flickering,
Then hurled the wishing-bonnet
Into the blaze to perish,
Into the ashes to be scattered.

The young maidens weeping,
Three of them lamenting:
"Why, Kalev, mighty man,
Did you destroy the good cap?
No other can be made in the world,
No better woven in hell:
Dead now are the wishes,
All longing vain forever!"

Kalev's mighty son
Answered with cunning:
"Leave off weeping, maidens,
Leave off mourning, golden ones!
Now is no time for grieving,
No season for lamenting!
In summer's silken gowns
The wide world is shining,
The cuckoo calls the village lads,
A bird sings the peace-bringer,
A foal whinnies for its takers.

The fair sun's shining
Sparkles from your eyes,
Gleams from your eyelids;
The forest gleams in its leaves,
Greening upon the meadow-ground.

Maidens, young ones,
Flaxen-haired little birds!
Dress yourselves in clothing,
Put on red ribbons,
Blue silk,
Golden-trimmed coats;
I shall lead you to the courting-road,
Send you on the matchmaking-path.
When the burning eyes of lads
Fall upon the beauty of your adornments,
Upon the blush of your cheeks,
Then a suitor shall come,
A village lad, the deceiver,
Drawn by your silken finery,
By your golden-trimmed coat,
He shall come for the blush of your cheeks,
For the swell of your brooch-breast;
A mighty man shall come,
Sulev's son shall come,
Alev's son shall step forward,
A kinsman shall ride behind;
The friends of the mighty men,
Kalev's own kinsmen
Shall come to seize you,
To court you, golden ones.

Now the time of mourning is done,
The bitter age of trial,
Now there is more time for joy,
A longer pleasure-feast."

Part Thirteen — The Departure Song

(Lines 965–1000)

Then he stacked the board-load
Lightly upon his shoulders again,
Set the heavy money-pouches,
The gold-sacks and thaler-bags
In heaps upon the load,
Set the maidens on top
In a pretty row to sit,
Who like hens upon a roost
In lovely pleasure clucked.

The maidens, taking,
Before the road's departure,
From the velvet and silk chambers
Fair little bundles of clothing;
The youngest maiden, slender one,
Had taken along a switch,
The bridge-maker from the bedpost wall.

Kalev's mighty son,
Who carried all the loads,
Still hurried at a fire-trot
Walking the homeward road.

With pleasure-songs the little birds,
The hens three, were clucking:
"Let us go, birds, let us fly,
Let us go rejoicing in our fortune!
Now summer is sailing,
Beauty's time is dawning,
Love's time is beginning.
When summer turns to autumn,
The meadow begins to wither,
Then from far in the village
A lad shall come rolling from a foreign parish,
Shall come from a familiar farmstead
To ransom the maidens,
To comfort the young children;
Where fortune carries,
There the sister is taken."

Colophon

Translated from the Estonian of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald's Kalevipoeg (1857) as preserved in Project Gutenberg (#25062). The fourteenth of twenty cantos. Approximately 1,000 verse lines translated from 19th-century literary Estonian.

No existing English translation was consulted as a source. The English is independently derived from Kreutzwald's Estonian text, preserving the parallelism, kenning-compounds, and alliterative rhythm of the original regivärss tradition.

Notable elements: the seven rooms of ascending material (iron → copper → silver → gold → silk → velvet → brocade), each described with the same formulaic catalogue — the repetition is the architecture, not redundancy. The courtyard of seven granaries built from stone, slate, hen-egg, goose-egg, vetch-stone, carved stone, eagle-egg, and Siuru-egg. The three maidens' accounts of Sarvik's governance of the dead — the spirits are allowed home once a year at All Souls' time, then must return. The eldest maiden's lament: eternal youth without love is worthless. The strategic swap of the strength-drink and weakness-drink on Sarvik's bedpost. The wrestling match that shakes hell's foundations. Kalevipoeg growing to tree-height with the wishing-cap and driving Sarvik into the earth like a stake — only for the Horned One to melt into the ground and vanish as a puddle of blue water, echoing the Ilmajärv episode of Canto XIII. The burning of the wishing-cap — the hero's most consequential mistake, destroying the most powerful object in the underworld. And the departure song, with the maidens clucking like hens on a roost, singing of summer and suitors to come.

Scribed by Tuuli (Tulku Uralic Alpha, Life 23) for the New Tianmu Anglican Church, March 2026.

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Source Text: Kalevipoeg — Neljateistkümnes Lugu

Estonian text of Kalevipoeg Canto XIV, from the 1857 first edition of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, as preserved in Project Gutenberg (#25062). Approximately 1,000 verse lines in literary Estonian regivärss.

Oleks laulupoega noorem,
Oleks, mis ta enne olnud
Kevadises kaunis ilus,
Suvepiiri palistusel,
Siis ta laulaks pika päeva,
Laulaks läbi talveöögi,
Laulaks nalja ehk nädala,
Kukutelles poole kuuda
Kalevite kaunist mängi
Põrgupere piigadega,
Laulaks, et metsad müraksid,
Kaljud vastu kargeleksid.
Aga laulik, õhtukukke,
Suvest lahkund luigekene,
Pöörab silmad igatsedes
Õnnepäeva hommikulle,
Noorepõlve nurmedelle,
Kus veel kenamadki kirjad,
Ilusamad õnnelilled
Rõõmuvaipa valmistasid;
Kus veel elu õrnal rinnal
Soemalt mõni sõbrasüda
Õnnelikult vastu õhkas;
Kus veel kevadisel murul
Külakiige kergitusel
Sõstrasilmad sõbralikult
Heldusella hiilgasivad - -
Millal saab lauliku kevade
Armul tagasi tulema?
Tõuse, laulu koidukene,
Tõuse kui see päevatera
Minu vaimusilmadesse!
Paista muistsepõlve päevi
Hämarusest ärkamaie,
Pilvepaksust paistemaie!
Kalevite kallil pojal
Ei sõit′ ilu jõgepidi,
Mäng ei kullast mäge pidi;
Ilu oli pikalla öölla
Lustipidul lõppemata,
Mäng ei lasknud noorel mehel
Aega minna igavaksi
Ega nali neidudelle
Unesõba silmadelle.
"Oh, kui ööl′ ei hirmutuseks
Päikest tuleks paistemaie!"
Nuttis juba mitu noorta
Kadund armu kahetsedes,
Kui ta salalõimesiidi
Kangasjalgel kujutie.
Vanaeite köögis vangis
Istus kui lõksus hiireke,
Kust ei võinud kasutütreid
Kalleid minna keelamaie.
Teisel päeval läksid piigad
Kaleviga kõndimaie,
Läksid maja näitamaie,
Varakambreid vaatamaie;
Palged alles punetasid
Neitsidel veel naljatusest,
Miska öö neil õnnemängil
Lustilikult mööda läinud.
Nemad läksid kiviuksest
Kõrge kivivõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad kivist teeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu rikas tuba.
Tuba oli rauast tehtud,
Seinanurgad teraksesta,
Raudauksed, raudaaknad,
Raudalaed ja raudpõrandad;
Raudaahi seisis nurgas,
Raudakeris ahjuotsal,
Raudakummi keriksella,
Raudasängi seina ääres,
Raudalaud keset põrandat,
Raudatoolid laua ümber,
Raudapingid ahju kõrval;
Rauast olid parred tehtud,
Parrevarred rauast taotud,
Raudakirstud igas nurgas,
Raudavara kirstudessa.
Vanem piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on vana S a r v i k-taadi
Töötuba sulastelle,
Orjapoiste varjupaika,
Teopoiste pärispaika:
Siin neid vaeseid vaevatakse,
Mitmel puhul piinatakse."
Nemad läksid raudauksest
Kõrge raudse võlvi alla,
Kõndisivad raudateeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu teine tuba.
Tuba oli vasest tehtud:
Seinad vasesta valatud,
Valgest vasest seinanurgad,
Punasesta seinapalgid,
Vasksed uksed, vasksed aknad,
Vasksed laed ja põrandad;
Vaskne ahi seisis nurgas,
Vaskne keris ahjuotsal,
Vaskne kummi keriksella,
Vaskne sängi seina ääres,
Vaskne laud keset põrandat,
Vasksed toolid laua ümber,
Vasksed pingid ahju kõrval;
Vasest olid parred tehtud,
Parrevarred vasest taotud,
Vasksed kirstud igas nurgas,
Vaskne vara kirstudessa.
Vanem piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on vana Sarvik-taadi
Tütarlaste töötuba,
Orjapiiga varjupaika,
Vaimutüdrukute nurka:
Siin neid vaeseid vaevatakse,
Mitmel puhul piinatakse."
Nemad läksid vasksest uksest
Kõrge vaskse võlvi alla,
Kõndisivad vaskiteeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu kolmas tuba.
Tuba oli tehtud hõbedast:
Hõbedased toaseinad,
Nurgad hõbedast valatud,
Hõbeuksed, hõbeaknad,
Hõbelaed ja -põrandad;
Hõbeahi seisis nurgas,
Hõbekeris ahjuotsal,
Hõbekummi keriksella,
Hõbesängi seina ääres,
Hõbelaud keset põrandat,
Hõbetoolid laua ümber,
Hõbepingid ahju kõrval;
Hõbedasta tehtud parred,
Parrevarred hõbedasta,
Hõbekirstud igas nurgas,
Hõberaha kirstudessa.
Teine piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on vana Sarvik-taadi
Igapäevaline tuba,
Argipäeva asupaika,
Kehakarastuse kamber.
Siin ta puhkab igapäeva,
Peab hõlpsat põlvekesta."
Nemad läksid hõbeuksest,
Kõrge hõbevõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad hõbeteeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu neljas tuba.
Tuba oli kullast tehtud:
Kullast olid toaseinad,
Nurgad kullasta valatud,
Kuldauksed, kuldaaknad,
Kuldalaed ja -põrandad;
Kuldaahi seisis nurgas,
Kuldakeris ahjuotsal,
Kuldakummi keriksella,
Kuldasängi seina ääres,
Kuldalaud keset põrandat,
Kuldatoolid laua ümber,
Kuldapingid ahju kõrval;
Kullast olid parred tehtud,
Parrevarred kullast taotud,
Kullasta kõik majariistad,
Kuldakirstud igas nurgas,
Kuldaraha kirstudessa.
Teine piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on vana Sarvik-taadi
Pidupäeva paigakene,
Lustipidamise tuba,
Kallis rõõmukambrikene.
Siin ta puhkab pidupäeval,
Maitseb magusamat põlve,
Õnnelikumada aega.
Siin ma eile pika päeva
Olin kulda küürimassa,
Pidukambrit pühkimassa."
Nemad läksid kuldauksest,
Läbi kuldaväravasta
Kõrge kuldavõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad kuldateeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu viies tuba,
Kallis siidikambrikene.
Tuba oli siidist tehtud,
Siidinööril üles aetud,
Salasambailla toetud;
Siidist olid toaseinad,
Nurgad siidista sõlmitud,
Siidiuksed, siidiaknad,
Siidist laed ja põrandad,
Siidisängid seina ääres,
Siidipadjad sängidessa,
Siidikatted üle laua,
Siiditekid toolidella;
Siidiriided rippusivad
Ümberringi seina küljes,
Siidinöörid piki tuba
Nõtkusivad siidi alla,
Suured kirstud seisid nurgas,
Siidikangad kirstudessa.
Kolmas piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on neiu ehtetuba,
Noorte neitsikeste kamber.
Siin nad, hellad, ehitavad,
Piduriideid palmitavad,
Panevad sinisiidilista,
Punakarva poogalista,
Roomakarva loogelista,
Kui on siidiliste pidu,
Noorte neitsikeste päeva."
Nemad läksid siidiuksest,
Läbi siidiväravasta
Kõrge siidivõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad siiditeeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu kuues tuba,
Kena sametkambrikene.
Tuba tehtud sametista,
Sametnööril üles seatud,
Salasambad alla toetud;
Sametista toaseinad,
Nurgad seotud sametista,
Sametuksed, sametaknad,
Sametist laed ja põrandad,
Sametsängid seina ääres,
Sametpadjad sängidessa,
Sametkatted laua üle,
Samettekid toolidella;
Suured sametised vaibad
Jooksivad piki põrandat,
Sametnöörid piki tuba
Nõtkusivad sametissa.
Suured kirstud seisid nurgas,
Sametkangad kirstudessa,
Teised sametkanga pakud
Seisid virnas kirstu kõrval.
Kolmas piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on neiu ehtetuba,
Noorte neitsikeste kamber.
Siin nad, noored, ehitavad,
Piduriideid palmitavad,
Panevad sinisametisse,
Poogalise punadesse,
Kui on sametlaste pidu,
Sametneitsikeste päeva."
Nemad läksid sametuksest,
Läbi sametväravasta
Kõrge sametvõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad sametteeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Seal tuli vastu seitsmes tuba.
Tuba oli poordist tehtud,
Kenast poordist kambrikene,
Mis oli poordista punutud,
Poordipaelul üles pandud
Salasammaste toella.
Poordist olid toaseinad,
Nurgad poordista punutud,
Poordist uksed, poordist aknad,
Poordist laed ja põrandad,
Poordist sängid seina ääres,
Poordist padjad sängidessa,
Poordist katted laua üle,
Poordist tekid toolidella;
Poordist riided rippusivad
Ümberringi seina küljes,
Poordist nöörid piki tuba
Nõtkusivad poordi alla;
Suured kirstud seisid nurgas,
Poordipakud kirstudessa,
Kirstu kõrval seisid virnad
Kenamaida käiksekirju,
Teised virnad tanukirju,
Kolmandamad loogelisi.
Kolmas piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"See on neiu ehtetuba,
Noorte neitsikeste kamber.
Siin need noored ehitavad,
Päid poordile panevad,
Kui on poordilaste pidu,
Noorte neitsikeste päeva."
Nemad läksid poordist uksest,
Läbi poordiväravasta
Kõrge poordivõlvi alla,
Kõndisivad poorditeeda
Tüki maada veel edasi;
Siis nad pääsesivad õue,
Kus ei muru ega mulda.
Maa oli selgesta rahasta,
Tänavatee taalerista.
Õues seisis seitse aita,
Seitse aita, sala tehtud.
Üks oli aita kivist tehtud,
Raudakivista rajatud,
Teine aita paesta tehtud,
Laiust paasist ehitatud,
Kolmas aita kanamunast
Imelikult ehitatud,
Neljas aita hanemunast
Salakombel kokku pandud,
Viies aita vikikivist,
Viilitud kivist ehitud,
Kuues aita kotkamunast
Imekombel ehitatud,
Seitsmes aita S i u r u munast
Iseviisil üles seatud.
Üks oli aita rukkeid täisi,
Teine aita kesvasida,
Kolmas aita kaeru täis,
Neljas täidetud nisuga,
Viies aita linnakseida,
Kuues keeduvilja-aita,
Seitsmes aita searasva,
Keedurasva pakil täisi.
Tagaõues olid laudad,
Karjalojuste korterid;
Laudad olid luista tehtud,
Kontidesta kokku pandud.
Kalevite kallis poega
Ei läind lautu vaatamaie,
Hakkas asja nõudemaie,
Piigadelta pärimaie,
Kes see kuulus Sarve-taati
Sugulta pidi olema.
Vanem piiga peenikene
Mõistis kohe, kostis vastu:
"Kes teda isa sünnitanud,
Ema rinnal imetanud,
Kaitsedessa kaisus kannud,
Rüpessa ehk ravitsenud,
Suu juures suisutanud -
Sest ei ole meie kuulnud.
Kas teda karu poeginud,
Hunti metsas imetanud,
Karjamära mängitanud,
Kitse kätkis kiigutanud -
See kõik seisab sõba alla,
Varjul meile vaiba alla.
Sarvikul on suured vallad,
Laialised valitsused,
Salasõite sadadena,
Tuulekäike tuhandeida,
Ega ole elav silma,
Kuskil sureliku kõrva
Kõiki tema teida teadnud,
Käikisida iial kuulnud.
Meie näeme minekuda,
Teame tema tulekuda,
Teekäik ala tundemata.
Sügavamal peab sisu
Õõnes maa sees olemaie:
Õõnestuses seitse ilma,
Seitse salakaarekesta.
Seal peab varjuliste valda,
Kujuliste külasida
Perekasti pesitama.
Surnud rahvasugusida
Vana S a r v i k valitsemas,
Kuida T a a r a tarkusella
Maailma algamisel
Asju nõnda asutanud.
Voliliku kange käega
Valitseb S a r v i k valdasid;
Varjulised saavad luba
Igal aastal hingeajal
Korra oma kodus käia
Omakseida vaatamassa,
Tuttavaida teretamas.
Jõu-õhtute pidudel
Lähvad vaimud lennuskille -
Põrgupiinast päästetuna -
Varjuriigi väravatest
Tuulekiirul kihutelles
Võõraks jäänud vainudelle,
Kus nad rõõmuradadella,
Ehk ka pisarate teedel
Elupõlves enne käinud.
Aga voliaja veerul,
Lõbunädalate lõpul
Peavad võõrsil käinud pojad
Tulist tagasi tulema
Varjuriigi valdadesse,
Igamees oma peresse."
Teine piiga pajatelles
Pani sõna sõudevalle:
"Sealtap vana Sarvik-taati
Teolisi terviteleb,
Abilisi ajab välja:
Sunnib korra sulaseida,
Teise korra tütarlapsi
Teopäevi tegemaie,
Kus nad vaesed raudakambris
Raskeid töösid toimetavad,
Vaskikambris valju tööda
Sarvikulle sigitavad.
Raudakeppi nuhtleb rampa,
Vaskne vitsa viibijada.
Siin on Sarvik-taadi kodu,
Päris puhkamise paika,
Kehakarastuse kamber,
Seljasirutuse sängi,
Kus ta vanaeide seltsis
Vahevahel viidab aega,
Puhkab mõne päevakese,
Kui ta väsind pikast käigist,
Rändamisest väga roidund.
Siisap eite Sarvikuda
Hõbekambri parte pealla
Videvikul vihtlemassa,
Aineid külgi haudumassa.
Pikematel pidupäevil,
Siis, kui suuremaida sööke,
Tuleb Sarvik sõpradega
Suurte sugulaste seltsis
Lustipidu pidamaie,
Õlle hullul hõiskamaie.
T ü h i on tal kälimeesi,
Põrgu lita tema tädi,
Valge mära vanaema.
Täna õhtul oodatakse
Sarvikut koju tulema,
Kel ei palju ole püsi,
Kui ta ülespoole kõnnib,
Kussa päeval paistab päike,
Kuuvalgus öösel kumab,
Tähesilmad teevad teeda.
Aga kui ta alla ilma
Varjulaste valdadesse
Tarvidust läeb toimetama,
Siis ta viibib mitu päeva,
Viibib nädalate viisi."
Kolmas piiga peenikene
Pani sõna sõudevalle:
"Kui sind, Kalevite poega,
Kogemata koju tulles
Sarvik-taat saaks silmamaie,
Siis sa satuks kohe surma.
Sest kes iial siia saanud,
Üle läve tõstnud jalga,
Pannud kanda põrmandalle,
See ei pääse surmasuusta,
Võõrdub kuu valguselta,
Päikese paistuselta.
Meie, õed õnnetumad,
Kaunid neitsid kolmekesi
Langesime lapsepõlves
Õnnetuse tuulehoolla,
Viletsuse vihmasaolla
Pärisorjaks Sarvikulle.
Kaugelta meid kannetie,
Tuhande versta tagant toodi
Laia ilma lagedalta,
Kena ilma keske′ elta
Siia kurbaje külaje,
Pika piinade pereje.
Enne olid ilupäevad,
Kus me kuninglikus koplis
Kullerkupukujudena
Kolmekesi kasvasime;
Nüüdap peame, neitsikesed,
Pärisorja olemises
Raudakepi sunnitavad,
Peretaadi sõnakuuljad,
Pereeide käskujalad,
Töösida toimetama,
Mis meil′ peale pandanekse.
Ehk tuleks tulista lunda,
Sajaks rauasta raheta,
Valaks vihma varda′asta:
Ikka peab ori olema,
Ikka mineja minema,
Kohe käima korraline,
Varsti käima vaenelapsi,
Enne koitu koovitaja,
Enne muida musta lindu,
Pärast päeva pääsukene.
Taara heldus kinkis meile
Närtsimata nooruspäevi,
Õnne kevadista iga,
Alalista palgepuna:
Seni kui tuppi solkimata,
Kaunakene kitkumata,
Iduke ivas veel eluta."
Vanem piiga peenikene
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"Mis see vaestel maksab noorus,
Õnne kevadine ilu,
Alapuna palgeilla,
Mõlkuv marjameelekene,
Katkemata kaunakene,
Kui ei armul haudujada,
Igatsusest päästijada!
Kes see kanu kosimaie,
Linde tuleks lunastama,
Lestajalga lepitama,
Varvasjalga vangist viima,
Masajalga meelitama?
Tuul ei tule teretama,
Õhku õrna hellitama
Vaeseid vangipandud lapsi."
Kalevite kange poega
Pani sõnad sõudemaie:
"Neitsikesed noorukesed,
Käharpeaga kaunikesed,
Ärge kurtke kurval meelel,
Ärge kurtke, armsakesed!
Kurvastus teeb kahvatumaks,
Pisar pillab palgepuna.
Küllap päästan kullakesed,
Päästan linnud lingudesta,
Kanakesed kammitsasta,
Võtan väetid võrkudesta!
Küllap päästan kulla piigad
Vanaeide vangipaelust,
Sarve-taadi sidemetest,
Orjapõlve ormadesta,
Viin teid laia valge′elle,
Päikese paistuselle,
Kena kuu kuma alla,
Siravate tähte silma!
Ärge nutke, noorukesed,
Kurvastage, kullakesed!
Kalevite kangel pojal
Kasvab rammu küllaltigi!
Küllap võidan võidumängil
Sarve-taadi sulastega,
Vangistelen vanaeide,
Lunastelen lapsukesed!"
Vanem piiga peenikene
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"Kallis Kalevite poega,
Võidumeeste võsukene,
Kangelaste kasvandikku,
Tahad päästa tedrepoegi,
Kammitsasta kanakesi,
Lingupaelust linnukesi,
Siis pead võtma nõiavitsa,
Küüntelaastust kübarada,
Muidu sa ei suuda ennast,
Vähem meid veel vangist päästa!
Siin ei kesta sinu kangus
Ega välta mehe võimus,
Inimlikku vahvam vägi.
Sarvikul on sada selli,
Tuhat teenrit tundemata,
Arvamata abimehi,
Nägemata nõudeandjaid:
Tuuleabid tuuslarilta,
Sortsilaste soola-abid,
Nõiarohukeste abid,
Miska kangust köidetakse,
Miska võimu võrgutakse,
Rammu ära raugendakse."
Kalevite kange poega
Pani naeruks pajatusi,
Naljaks neiukeste kartust,
Seadis sõna sõudemaie,
Laulukesta lendamaie:
"Neitsikesed noorukesed,
Käharpeaga kaunikesed!
Oleksite õnnekombel
Meestepoege mängi näinud,
Vahvamate võitlemista,
Kangemate rammukatset,
Küllap te siis teaksite,
Palju mõnus mehepoega
Tülil jõuab toimetada.
Ei ma karda Sarvikuda,
Karda ei sellide sadada
Ega tondituhandeda!
Võimas käsi võidab väe;
Tugev võitis juba Tühja,
Surmas Soomes suured hulgad,
Saab ka võitma Sarvikuda."
Teine piiga peenikene
Pani sõna sõudemaie:
"Kallis Kalevite poega,
Kuninglikku kange meesi!
Kui sa palumiste vastu,
Õpetusest hoolimata
Kiusatuse kütkendusse
Ülemeelil tahad minna:
Sest ei tõusku meile süüdi,
Sest ei vaestel′ vastutusta
Venna vere valamisest,
Ülekohtus hukkamisest!
Ühte pean veel ütlemaie,
Palvekeelil pajatama, -
Tee siis, meesi, mis sa tahad!
Kui sa tahad õnnekäigil
Põrgupaelust pääseneda,
Siis ma palun: tõtta, meesi!
Vii sa varbad viibimata
Teiste teede radadelle!
Sest kui Sarvik jõuab siia,
Kukub kinni koopauksi,
Läheb urkavärav lukku.
Seal ei ole pääsemista,
Lahtisaamist sulle loota.
Võta küüntelaastust kübar,
Soovi kojusaatemista,
Enne kui kaob õnneaega,
Lõpeb otsa lõbus põlvi!"
Kalevite kange poega
Pidas naeruks neiu pelgu,
Kodukana kohkumista:
Mõtles: "Mees küll maksab mehe,
Võit jääb siiski võimsamalle.
Langeb urgas lamaskille,
Küllap uurin uue urka,
Kaevan teise kaevandiku,
Kust ma pääsen kodu poole."
Nukral meelel neitsikesed,
Kui ei võinud venda päästa,
Armukesta avitada,
Salanõusid sünnitama,
Kuidas nemad kolmekesi
Kavaluse kütkendusel
Armukest saaks aitamaie.
Sängisambas valmis seisid
Sarvik-taadi salariistad,
Abimehed hädaajal:
Kaksi klaasi ühtekarva
Õllevärki märgadega,
Ühel mõõdul küll mõlemad
Poolikulta täide pandud.
Siiski märjad need sugulta,
Võimuselta üsna võõrad
Nii kui öö on päeva kohta:
Üks oli märga kümme härga,
Kes see võimu kasvataja;
Teine märga tuhat nälga,
Kes see võimu kahandaja.
Paremal käel sängisambas
Seisis rammusünnitaja,
Pahemal pool sängisambas
Seisis rammusuretaja.
Vanem õde vaheteli
Salamahti sängisambais
Klaasid teine teise kohta,
Pani rammu pahemalle,
Nõtrust paremalle poole:
Et kui Sarvik võimu võtab,
Nõrgendusta kohe neelab.
Teine õde võttis vitsa,
Mis see silla sünnitaja.
Kui nad nõnda kolmekesi
Salaasjad sünnitanud,
Kuuldi kaugelt müdinada,
Koopalae poolt kolinada.
Vanem piiga värisema,
Teine kohkel kahvatama,
Kolmas piiga peenikene
Pani sõnad sõudevalle:
"Kallis Kalevite poega!
Nüüdap, lõvi, oled lõksus,
Mesikäppa, näpistuses,
Vangivõrgus, vennikene!
Sarvik juba sõitemassa,
Kodu poole kihutamas!
Tallab juba urgasteeda,
Sammud kostvad koopasuusta,
Kannamüdin kõrge′elta.
Lahtipääsemist ei loota,
Pagupaika kuskilt leida!
Katsu tulu tugevusest,
Raudarammust abimeesta!"
Kui oleks hulka hobuseida
Kivisillal kihutamas,
Raskem raudavankri voori
Vaskiteedel veeremassa,
Kõuetaadi kärgatused
Maapinda põrutanud,
Nõnda Sarvik-taadi sammud
Koopakummi kõigutasid.
Kalevite kange poega
Seisis paigast põrkamata,
Seisis kui tammi marussa,
Kaldakaljud lainetessa,
Kivi rahesagarassa,
Kõva torni tuulehoossa.
Ukse taga undas sammu,
Liikus käiki ligemalle.
Juba rusik raksatelles
Piitasida põrutama,
Käsi kange kärgatelles
Ukse kipub hukkamaie,
Juba jalga üle läve
Astub toa põrmandalle;
Sealap sammu seisatama,
Võõrail silmil vahtimaie,
Kust see kulli kanadelle,
Hunti tulnud karja hulka?
Neitsid kartes kahvatama,
Kolmekesi kohkumaie.
Kalevite kange poega,
Kes veel väikelase kujul,
Soovikübara käessa,
Tagaseina seisanekse,
Näind ei suurem neidudesta,
Kukk ei kangem kanadesta.
Sarvik-taati sõnaldama,
Pilkelisti pajatama:
"Kes sind võrku, vennikene,
Lingu viinud, linnukene?
Mesikeelil meelitused
Petnud mõnda poisikesta.
Juba julgus julgematel,
Juba kangus kangematel
Kogemata murdnud kaela,
Hullul peal ju hukutanud.
Pääsmist siit ei päeva alla
Ega lootust lahti saada!"
Kalevite kange poega
Kostis vastu kavalasti:
"Tuul on tühi talitaja,
Maru mõistemata meesi!
Sõitlemine sõnadella,
Vaidlemine vihadella,
Lõualuie lõugutused,
See′p see muistne naiste sõda,
Kabedate kemplemine.
Lorist ei saa lepitajat,
Sõnast sõja suretajat,
Vandest viha vaigistajat.
Keel on kurjem kihutaja,
Sõnad riiusünnitajad.
Lähme välja lagedalle
Võidu peale võilemaie:
Kumb meist kumba kangusella
Võidumängil võitanekse?
Võitijalle veergu voli,
Kohus kätte kangemalle."
Sarvik-taati sõnaldama:
"Sündku sinu soovimine,
Mehemäng mul meelepärast!"
Siisap sammus sängisamba
Võimuklaasist võttemaie
Keharammu karastusta.
Arvas klaasi asukohal
Sängisambas seisevada.
Laskis kiirest′ märga kurku,
Jätt′ ei põhja piisakesta.
Kalevite kange poega
Pistis põue peavarju,
Küüntelaastust kaabukese.
Meelil ise mõtlemaie:
"Kui läeb kitsik kibedamaks,
Hakkab rammu raugenema,
Küll siis kaapu kasvatama,
Soovikübar sirgunema
Paneb kohe poisikese."
Kui siis saanud korra peale
Võitlemise valmistused,
Mindi kohe murudelle
Õue peale õnne katsma.
Sarvik-taati sõnaldama:
"Vanem piiga peenikene,
Käi sa kiiresti kambrisse!
Võta rauad raudakirstust,
Kahekordised kammitsad,
Miska võitja võidetava
Kannad köidab kammitsasse!"
Tütar noori täitis käsku,
Tegi taadi tahtemista.
Mehed muru mõõtemaie,
Sammul kohta seadimaie,
Piirasivad ümber piirded,
Panid vaiad veerte peale,
Et ei mingit segadusta,
Pettust pidand sündimaie.
Siis nad võtsid niuetesta
Kinni keha keske′elta,
Kangust nõnda katsumaie,
Kumb saaks kumba kukutama.
Ei seal olnud enne seda
Muisteaegsel mälestusel
Vägevamaid võitlemisi
Silmale veel sünnitatud.
Kui see meri maru sunnil,
Tuuletiiva tantsitusel
Laineid tuiskab lendamaie,
Kõikumaie, kerkimaie,
Tuulispaska tõstatelles
Katust kipub katkestama,
Nõnda kõikus maapinda,
Põrgu põrand vabisedes
Võitlejate võimu alla;
Põrgu seinad põrusivad,
Nurgakivid niksatasid,
Lagi kippus langemaie,
Katus kaela kukkumaie.
Kaua vältas kahevahel
Kange meeste kemplemine,
Et ei targem võinud teada,
Kavalam ette kuulutada:
Kumb saab võidul kuningaksi,
Teisel kanda köitemaie?
Kui nad said pisut puhanud,
Üürikeselt tõmmand hinge,
Võttis Kalevite poega
Küüntelaastust kaabukese,
Sünniteli soovimisi:
Käskis keha kasvaneda,
Suurusella sirguneda,
Paksusella paisuneda.
Kalevipoeg kasvamaie,
Suurusella sirgumaie,
Paksusella paisumaie,
Tõusis tugevamaks tammeks,
Kasvas kuuse kõrguseksi.
Siisap sasis Sarvik-taadi
Kehast kinni küünte väella,
Rabas korra raputelles,
Kiskus korra kergitelles,
Tõstis kui takutopsikest
Kümne sülla kõrguselle.
Sealt ta rabas Sarve-taati
Teritatud teiba kombel
Sambaks maha seisemaie.
Sarvik langes üle säärte,
Põrus tüki üle põlve,
Vajus ligi reitevahe
Kivikildude keskele,
Liivasõmera lingusse,
Et ei paigast võinud päästa.
Kalevite kange poega
Kammitsaida kohendama,
Vangiraudu valmistama,
Miska vangistatud mehe
Koivad saaksid kütkendatud.
Varem veel kui vennikene,
Kallis Kalevite poega
Kammitsrauda köitemaie,
Ahelaida asutama,
Hakkas Sarvik silmanähes
Väiksemaksi vajumaie;
Vajus vaksa, vajus kaksi,
Vajus siis veel mitu vaksa,
Kahanes veel küünrakaupa,
Sulas siis kui rabasoosse
Põrmupõue peituselle
Ega jäänud enam jälge,
Maha mingit märgikesta
Kui üks väike loigukene
Sinist vetta suitsemaie.
Kalevite kange poega
Pilkamisi pajatama:
"Kes see kuskil kentsakamat
Ilmas näinud imeasja?
Põrgulane pugend peitu,
Argapüksi paguurka,
Linnupoega lepikusse,
Rästas paksu rägastikku,
Sisalikku sambla sülle,
Kui nad kuskil kolinada
Kogemata kuulatanud.
Küllap leian teisel korral
Sarvik-taadi salaurkad,
Köidan kintsud kammitsasse,
Seon raudse sidemesse,
Et ei pääse põgenema,
Liikmeida liigutama.
Täna täidan tõotused,
Päästan põrgust piigakesed,
Vangipaelust väetikesed,
Viin nad võõra vainudelle
Päevasilma paiste alla,
Lustiliste luhtadelle
Kuuvalgel kasvamaie,
Tähtesilmil tõusemaie."
Kalevite kange poega
Võttis mõõga varna otsast,
Pani puusa pandelilla;
Võttis koorma vanavara,
Kullakambrist mõned kotid,
Täitis mõne raetündri
Taalrid tühja kottidesse,
Puduraha penningida
Võis ehk kümne koti võrra;
A′as siis koorma õlgadelle,
Tõstis sülle titakesed,
Kodukanad kolmekesi,
Pani soovikaabu pähe,
Siisap nõnda pajatama:
"Sõua, kaapu, jõua, kaapu!
Sõua meida koopasuhu,
Kuhu jätsin lauakoorma!"
Silmapilgu sünnitusel
Seisivad nad koopasuussa,
Kus see katel enne keenud.
Katel oli kokkadega
Koopasuusta kadunenud;
Mõned tuletunglakesed
Leel alles lõkendasid.
Kalevite kallis poega
Puhus tule põlemaie,
Leegi jälle lõkendama,
Siisap paiskas soovikaabu
Lõkke′ella lõppemaie,
Tuhkadella tuiskamaie.
Neiud noored nuttemaie,
Kolmekesi kahetsema:
"Miks sa, Kalev, kange meesi,
Hüva kübara hävitand?
Teist ei enam ilmas tehta,
Paremat põrgus ei punuta:
Surma läind nüüd soovimised,
Ilmaaegu kõik igatsus!"
Kalevite kange poega
Kavalasti kostemaie:
"Jätke nuttu, neiukesed,
Kaebamisi, kullakesed!
Nüüd ei ole leinaaega,
Kurtemise põlvekesta!
Suve siidirüüdidessa
Hiilgab laialine ilma,
Kukub kägu külapoissi,
Laulab lindu lepitajat,
Hirnub varssa võttijaida.
Kena päikese paiste
Vilgub teie silmadelta,
Läigib silmalaugudelta;
Metsa läigib lehtedessa,
Haljendades murupinda.
Neitsikesed, noorukesed,
Linapäised linnukesed!
Ehtige end riide′ esse,
Pange punapaeladesse,
Sinivärvi siididesse,
Kuldatoime kuubedesse;
Küllap viin teid kosjateele,
Saadan saajaradadelle.
Kui põlevad poiste silmad
Teie ehteilu peale,
Teie palgepuna peale,
Küllap tuleb kosilane,
Külapoissi pettelikku
Teie siidiehte peale,
Kuldatoime kuue peale,
Tuleb palgepuna peale,
Sõlgisrinna paisu peale;
Küllap tuleb kange meesi,
Tuleb Sulevite poega,
Astub Alevite poega,
Sõidab kannul sugulane;
Küllap kangemeeste sõbrad,
Kalevite sugulased
Tulevad teid tabamaie,
Kullakesi kosimaie.
Nüüd on lõpnud leinaaega,
Kurba kiusatusepõlvi,
Nüüd on rohkem rõõmuaega,
Pikalisem lustipidu."
Siis ta ladus lauakoorma
Hõlpsalt jälle õlgadelle,
Pani rasked rahapungad,
Kullakotid, taalritaskud
Koorma peale kuhjadeksi,
Pani peale piigakesed
Ilusasti istumaie,
Kes kui õrrel kanakesed
Kaunil lustil kõõrutasid.
Neiud võtnud, noorukesed,
Enne teeleminekuda
Sameti- ja siidikambrist
Kaunid riidekimbukesed;
Noorem piiga peenikene
Võtnud kaasa vitsakese,
Sillalooja sängiseinast.
Kalevite kange poega,
Kes kõik koormad kandanekse,
Tõttas siiski tulitallul
Koduteeda kõndimaie.
Lustilaulul linnukesed,
Kanad kolmi kõõrutasid:
"Lähme, linnud, lendamaie,
Lähme õnnel hõiskamaie!
Nüüdap suvi sõudemassa,
Iluaega ilmumassa,
Armuaega algamassa.
Läheb suvi sügiselle,
Nurmi kena närtsimaie,
Küll siis tuleb kaugelt külast,
Veereb poissi võõrast vallast,
Tuleb tuttavast talusta
Piigasida päästemaie,
Lapsi noori lepitama;
Kuhu õnne kandanekse,
Sinna sõsar viidanekse."

Source Colophon

Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, Kalevipoeg (Neljateistkümnes Lugu), first edition 1857. Digital text from Project Gutenberg eBook #25062. Public domain.

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