Bearslayer Part 9

They covered up their heads, crept into bed, And hoped the storm would end, but feared profound, For clap on clap of thunder still it bred, And on the hills smashed oak trees to the ground.

In truth, the Baltic G.o.ds fought hard that night.

The lightning sent by Perkons split the sky, And Antrimps threw up waves of mountain's height- To meet the clouds he made the waters fly!

Meanwhile, nearby the storm had seized a s.h.i.+p That mastless drove before the wind and rain, And soon with all beneath the waves would slip: The people cried for help, but all in vain.

Decreed by Perkons, death was close at hand.- But Fate to human will free choice affords; The Livian folk who dwelt upon the land Rash saved the Strangers, soon to be their lords!

To end this night the morning sun rose red.

On rising, Kangars saw his guest slept on: "So wild a storm I have not seen," he said, "A frightful night! How good that it is gone.

To kill the Devil Perkons now would please!"

Outside, the roof lay torn off on the ground, While in the yard criss-crossed lay broken trees, As filled with wonder Kangars gazed around.

Then on the narrow path two men came near; He watched them quickly walking to the gate.

One was a Riga fisherman was clear, With him a stranger pale, in weary state, Who wore long robes, a cross around his neck.- The fisherman told Kangars of the night, And how they saved the people from the wreck; Among them was this man all garbed in white.

The stranger wished to speak now with their lord, And thus the man to Kangars he had brought, Who better knew than he what to afford.- Within the Stranger's eyes now Kangars sought, And see, their souls communed across the seas!

The people's tongue the Stranger could employ: "By 'Dietrich' called, as priest my G.o.d I please, Who sent His Son to bring the world great joy."

"To trade we travelled to the Baltic sh.o.r.es, Although the wreck has made this goal in vain -Our G.o.d we thank, whose mercy is our cause- And here my people helpless must remain, Until a German s.h.i.+p the way is shown.

Thus, with a leader now I wish to meet."

In welcome Kangars spoke: "Your goal is known.

Fear not-your G.o.d's new presence here I greet."

"Although we do not trust each other's mind, In mighty Kaupa's castle, that lies near, Your welcome message fertile soil will find!

But rest today with me, cast off your fear, Although the Baltic G.o.ds are mighty too!"- Here Spidala rose up and joined the round; They talked at length of many topics new, Until the way to friends.h.i.+p deep was found.

Scene 2: The Estonian War

Bearslayer goes to war against Kalapuisis

The years pa.s.sed by in peaceful Baltic lands: Great changes came and much Bearslayer learned.

From Burtnieks he heard of warriors' fame, And with Koknesis knightly wisdom earned.

Bearslayer read the ancient books with greed.- They opened up deep knowledge well-springs clear, That told of worldly life and human need; Rest at the end, eternal spirits near.

The talisman that on his hat he wore Stayed by him and surprising fortune brought, When "Staburadze's maid" he met once more, The fair Laimdota, daughter of the court.

For n.o.ble goals, in her he reason found, For toiling too for Burtnieks the lord.

And in his heart love flared beyond all bound, While in Laimdota too her spirit soared.

They often met, and in the evenings' glow Together walked upon the lakeside sh.o.r.e.

She told him of a castle sunk below, And tales about the Burtnieks of yore.- To win the maiden's hand Bearslayer sought, But from the hills the message came in haste, That Kalapuisis great havoc wrought, By striking down the folk and laying waste.

Fear seized them all, for none could hope to stand, Who in the hills should face the giant's might.

Old Burtnieks sent news across the land: The hero who could save them from this plight Might claim as bounty any wish he made, Laimdota's hand, if even that he chose.

Bearslayer then from Burtnieks leave prayed, And with Koknesis sought to face the foes.

Old Burtnieks refused their wish at length, Moved by the danger they would surely face, But, knowing well the measure of their strength, At last he gave his blessing with good grace.- Soon, riding das.h.i.+ng colts, with sword in hand, Into the hills they went to right the wrong; Sent forth as saviours in the field to stand, By youths and maidens and the sound of song.

Halfway they met swift riders seeking aid; To Burtnieks a message grim they brought: Estonian foes had made a border raid, And burned and killed, and thus his help they sought.

They asked for aid from Burtnieks's Lord, And knew that his agreement would be found; If they should fight against Estonia's horde, To send his men he was by honour bound.

What best to do the youths had to decide.- They settled soon, since time was not to lose, That one of them to Burtnieks would ride, And with the hasting riders bring the news.

This task Koknesis took now, saying plain: "Alone, Bearslayer, triumph realize, And so Laimdota's hand in marriage gain.

I know your love, and will not seek the prize."

Bearslayer defeats Kalapuisis and befriends him

Beside his wood-framed hut, high on the hill, Sat Kalapuisis and ate a calf, Then with a suckling pig consumed his fill.

Beside him lay his club, a mighty staff, A tree trunk with a millstone on it bound.- On seeing bold Bearslayer riding past, He seized his club and swung the weapon round, So fast it caused a whirlwind's swirling blast.

The giant laughed, asked if his mother dear Knew he had come, untimely death to face.

Bearslayer answered that the hour was near, When giants in the world would have no place; To Pakols, therefore, he would show the course!

In answer then his club the giant cast, And sent Bearslayer tumbling, while his horse Into the swamp with tangled club fled fast.

Bearslayer sprang up safe, swift at a bound, Then drew his sword, and struck a mighty blow, That brought the giant tumbling to the ground.

The giant grasped a pine in falling low, With branch and roots the tree trunk loose he tore, Which falling pinned him down across his chest!- Bearslayer did not let him rise once more, But made to strike his head off from his breast.

"Heroic youngster wait," the giant cried, "Before I die allow me moments more To speak some words that may a.s.suage your pride.

Were you the babe a savage she-bear bore?

My mother told: When, from the Daugava's bank A bear-cub comes, sent here to fight with me, A fit opponent with a worthy rank, The Baltic tribes will soon once more be free."

"The sea will bring dread monsters to our sh.o.r.e, In iron clad, and full of boundless greed; All living creatures, crops, and soil and more, They will devour to sate their endless need!- It is not wise in such a circ.u.mstance To strive in war, and in the monsters' hands Thus give our folk. This promise I advance: An endless peace shall reign between our lands."

"Forth I will go and both our sh.o.r.es guard fast, That, while I live, unwanted from the west, The strangers will not come. And at the last, When life is done, in Zunda I will rest."

Bearslayer quickly offered him his hand, That Kalapuisis might gain his feet, And said: "Henceforth let peace between us stand!

Though on the plain in war our peoples meet."

"But we will now ensure their rage is spent; Between our lands this war shall be the last."

They bound his wound, then to the valley went, And soon the cruel Estonian war was past.- But where the giant fell and wounded bled Remains impressed a pit into the hill, That yet today is called the "Giant's Bed", And buried in the swamp his club lies still.

Bearslayer and Laimdota plight their troth in song

All sweetly singing, forth Laimdota came With other maidens through the castle gate, To greet the heroes and to mark their fame, When Burtnieks's men were saved by Fate, And homeward rode, safe from Estonia's war.

With oak-leaf crowns the maidens decked each brow- Alone, Laimdota's wreath Bearslayer bore, And with this song she made a solemn vow:

"The oaks still grow on Latvia's ground, With st.u.r.dy branch and jagged leaf.

Still in our folk are heroes found, Who guard our land with strong belief; We deck their brows with oak-leaves round, And sing their praise and show no grief."

"Sing of Bearslayer in our lore, The giant fell at his strong stroke.

There in the hills the youth struck sure, To save us from Estonia's yoke.

The foe destroys our land no more, No village burns nor daunts the folk."

"Our brethren safe their fields will till, And brew their beer at autumn-tide.

To newly-weds with joy we will In song and dance success and pride.

Bearslayer's quest I shall fulfil, And be his virtuous, upright bride."

With joyous heart Bearslayer heard these lines, They filled his soul with feelings deep and grave.