WOINOMOINEN.
From the Finnish.
Woinomoinen was, according to the Mythology of the ancient Finns, the
second Godhead, being only inferior to Jumala. He was master of the
musical art, and when he played upon his instrument produced much the same
effect as the Grecian Orpheus, enticing fishes from the stream and the
wild animals from the forest. The lines here translated are a fragment of
a poem which describes a musical contest between Woinomoinen and the Giant
Joukkawainen, in which the latter was signally defeated.
Then the ancient Woinomoinen,
On the bench himself he seated,
Took the harp betwixt his fingers,
On his knee about he turn'd it,
In his hand he fitly plac'd it.
Play'd the ancient Woinomoinen,
Universal joy awaking;
Like a concert was his playing;
There was nothing in the forest
On four nimble feet that runneth,
On four lengthy legs that stalketh,
But repair'd to hear the music,
When the ancient Woinomoinen,
When the Father joy awaken'd.
E'en at Woinomoinen's harping
'Gainst the hedge the bear up-bounded.
There was nothing in the forest
On two whirring pinions flying,
But with whirl-wind speed did hasten;
There was nothing in the ocean,
With six fins about that roweth,
Or with eight to move delighteth,
But repair'd to hear the music.
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