Bearslayer Part 8

They wished to cross, but none was fit With strength enough to pull the oar.

If room there were for him to sit, Alone to row Bearslayer swore.-

They boarded fast, the boat was full, Hard rowed the young man then for sh.o.r.e: But after just the first stroke's pull, He found he held a broken oar.

Without control the ferry tossed, Downriver drove the torrent's swirl.

The people knew that all was lost, With death before their eyes awhirl.

Bearslayer did not pause to scheme, But straight away rowed with his hand; And, thrusting strong against the stream, Their course directed to the land.

Across the Daugava's waves they fought And reached the other side at length!- The people were by wonder caught, And praised Bearslayer's mighty strength.

A young man on the bank paid heed, Who from the forest hauled a tree.

He saw Bearslayer's mighty deed And to the hero thus spoke free:

"Here as 'Koknesis' I am known, 'The mighty youth' is how I'm called, For from the woods, I have alone Great logs upon my shoulder hauled."

"To build a fortress here we work, Where Perse in the Daugava flows; A refuge strong when dangers lurk, To save us from our many foes."

Bearslayer made a friendly bow And told the youth his own great name, To Aizkraukle that he went now, And what the purpose why he came.

They soon were friends and made a rule, With him Koknesis too would ride; The two in Burtnieks's school Would learn great wisdom side by side.

Spidala swears revenge, but they reach Burtnieks

When Spidala the next day saw Bearslayer healthy in full view Approaching close her castle's door, It can be thought what fear she knew.

She asked her father that alone The coming guests he would receive, And since her heart was heavy grown, To her own chamber she would cleave.

Bearslayer too had no more use To meet false Spidala once more, And so he made a good excuse, When Aizkrauklis threw wide the door:

His journey hence had known delay, And to depart was now his whim; The forests had concealed his way, Until Koknesis rescued him.

Old Aizkrauklis had different views: Bearslayer was a welcome sight.

His wish had been to send forth news To Lielvarde of his plight.

And so disturbed he stared back hard, But brought out, at the youth's behest, His saddled colt into the yard, And sent him forth upon his quest.

False Spidala watched with a glare And in her eyes a madness grew: "Ride to the east," she threatened there, "And my revenge will follow you!"-

Next evening they arrived at dusk In Burtnieks's learned court, Where he received them asking brusque, From whence they came and what they sought.

The young men told him of their need, His father's words Bearslayer pa.s.sed; With friends.h.i.+p Burtnieks agreed- They were his pupils now at last!

CANTO III BEARSLAYER AND LAIMDOTA ARE BETRAYED

Scene 1: Kangars and Spidala combine against Bearslayer

Kangars learns that Bearslayer was in the Devil's Pit

Upon the hills the forests gloomy soughed, In mountain pa.s.ses swamp mists blocked the light, Dread serpents writhed and savage beasts roared loud, While frightened owls called lonely in the night: For travellers this was a fear-filled ground.- Beside a narrow path, that marked the way, And past the swamps and hills its pa.s.sage found, The house of falsely pious Kangars lay.

The day's last penitent sought grace to earn, And soon received an absolution sure From sins of every kind and sufferings stern, Then Kangars lit his lamp and closed his door.

He put the people's offerings with his h.o.a.rd, Piled in a chamber other things to join; A room in which, in chests and boxes stored, Lay finest hides and gold and silver coin.

He muttered as he bent at these to peer: "How truly evil if the Fiend that night ...!

But have I now perhaps bought life too dear?

The burdens of h.e.l.l's service are not light!

But evil deeds the witches close protect, And from the folk great honour I command.

In ignorance the people show respect, That gives me greater strength than wealth or land!"

"I have no mind to join that hero band That suffers hunger, need and hards.h.i.+ps great, While striving for the folk and Fatherland."

Thus speaking, Kangars went in through his gate.- That night, he heard a whirlwind raging round, While distant evening thunder rumbled dour.

Upon his door then came a knocking sound; He opened it, while wondering at the hour.

Then Spidala came in, all finely dressed, Not like a witch but in a lady's state.

"Good evening, uncle," greetings she expressed, "No visitor is usual here so late?"- "None was expected," Kangars answered sure.

"The greater then the pleasure I can show, To greet my beauteous neighbour at my door.

Does all go well? The answer I would know."

"All is not well," false Spidala replied, "Some mighty force opposes firm our will.

To ask your help I've come," the witch then cried, "Yet can our powers combined our goals fulfil!"

She then told Kangars that Bear Slayer saw, And in the pit observed the work they wrought, But though cast down in Staburags's maw, Was yet alive, and Burtnieks now sought.

Close Kangars listened then, and felt great fear, And anger too that witness there had been, Whose words to ill-repute could bring him near: Bearslayer must not tell what he had seen!

Now Kangars spoke: "Oh Spidala, you tell Of young Bearslayer in the pit, and show The G.o.ds protect him now and guard him well; This makes him even stronger as our foe."

"For his defeat we need a different scheme, To let this rash young man himself betray, And seek out death, pursuing fame's sweet dream; Example I will show you of the way.

For years upon our hills our foes no more The giant, Kalapuisis, employ.

Word we will send to Peipus Lake's far sh.o.r.e, The time is ripe, in Latvia to destroy."

"The Latvians I will urge to go to war.- I know Bearslayer bold will not delay, But in a fearless mood will go once more, With Burtnieks to struggle in the fray, Although they know that death will follow sure, If Kalapuisis they meet and fight.

On Latvian soil no warrior can endure Against the dread Estonian giant's might."

Perkons sends a storm to kill the Germans, but they are rescued

Then Spidala would thank him, but all round The whole room glowed with fire, and thunder crashed.

It rocked the house and shook the trembling ground; A storm broke out and rainstorms downward slashed.

The wild bears roared, the wolves all howled in fright, And from the swamps they heard the night birds call.

In all of nature terror reigned that night, When lightning sent by Perkons lashed the squall.

Both pale as corpses witch and warlock shook.

Their fear was greater than the forest kind's, Because they knew that Perkons would not brook, Nor bear the vice of evildoers' minds.

Then Kangars spoke: "You cannot go tonight!

Until the storm subsides, here must you bide."

He closed the windows and put out the light, Into the darkness drew the witch inside.