Bearslayer Part 10

He sought to show the maiden his designs, And with this song his answer pure he gave:

"Where stout oaks grow the linden thrives- Where heroes dwell are damsels pure; The Latvian warrior proudly strives, That in our land fair maids endure.

And willingly men give their lives, The Fatherland defending sure."

"In guarding Latvia's maidens fair, They earn their oak-leaf crowns anew, The foemen's strokes unyielding bear.

Then Laima brings their bride to view.- Oh fair Laimdota, beauty rare, I pledge to live and die for you."

Moved by the youthful people's greeting song, Soon Burtnieks himself to sing began.- In warrior hearts the joyous mood was strong, And brotherhood stirred deep in every man.

All bade Laimdota enter through the door, A meal awaited there the heroes bold; At Burtnieks's order there was more, For mead was served to greet them to the fold.

When then Laimdota served them the drink she brought, Bearslayer found that all there pleased him dear.

For in their toasts his future joy they sought, And with their words his destiny's path made clear:- The evil plot to kill the gallant boy Was by the will of all the G.o.ds made vain, And turned from grief into a larger joy, From which Bearslayer endless fame would gain.

Scene 3: Bearslayer rescues the Sunken Castle

Bearslayer finds his way into the Sunken Castle

Time pa.s.sed: One evening down Bearslayer went Into the stronghold's ma.s.sive crypt alone, Where learned volumes safe the ages spent.- He saw, half open in the floor of stone, A trapdoor that he had not seen before.

He took a lantern, wanting now to know, And looked inside where, dropping from the door, A narrow flight of steps led down below.

He took the stair into a cavern deep; Within the earth he strode a tunnel through, Until he reached an ancient castle's keep, Which, from the distance he had walked, he knew Beneath the middle of the lake must lie.

Within the rooms were many things on show -Old scattered weapons caught Bearslayer's eye- And in one chamber shone a lantern's glow.

He slowly entered in, where chests he saw And shelves with ancient volumes heavy grown, And wooden tablets carved with words of yore.- There in the centre, on a slab of stone, A lantern dimly burned, and by its light He saw a woman, parchment in her hand, Who did not mark Bearslayer come in sight, As, deep in thought, the doc.u.ment she scanned.

But as he neared, by chance she turned her head.

"Laimdota!" then Bearslayer joyful cried.

"Forgive that I disturb your thoughts," he said, "For me to meet you here gives greater pride Than some fair G.o.ddess in a wondrous place.

Within the vault I found the secret door, And pa.s.sing through into the cavern's s.p.a.ce, Thus entered this enchanted castle's core."

"Allow me but a moment here to stay, To look into these parchments and their spell; Is this the place of which you spoke that day?"

"It is," she said.-"But yet I cannot tell How I forgot to close the door, for none Without my father's word in here belongs.

Still, stay! -Your entry to the castle now is done- And we will read the texts and learn their songs."

Bearslayer spoke: "To stay I were content, My whole life here with you and with these books!"

"Haste not, Bearslayer, such a wish to vent,"

Then swift Laimdota said with warning looks, "Your words may rise up to the G.o.ds' stern ears, Who oft fulfil our wish in unsought ways.- Above all here, where in the coming years Will lie for me the joy of future days."

"I, Burtnieks's youngest daughter, yearn- Can but a hero stay here through one night, Within this castle rest, yet still return, And join the living folk at morning light, The castle then will break the magic spell, And in the morning, at the hero's side, Will rise and greet the sun it once knew well!"- Bearslayer took her hand and ardent cried:

"Of Burtnieks the youngest daughter fair, Within the castle of your sires I ask, If you will love old Lielvarde's heir, And make him strong to carry out this task, To break the spell within these halls to lie?"

To this Laimdota earnest answer made: "Together we shall live and striving die, That to the folk our service will be paid!"

Bearslayer drew her close. She pressed her face Against his chest. Two mighty spirits there In lofty virtue soared to heaven's s.p.a.ce Like rising stars-such moments pure are rare!

Upon the lake the waves broke white with spume, In moonlight glow the castle's rooftops shone; Light shadow spirits flitted through the room, Smiled down upon the lovers-then were gone.

The youthful pair but of themselves took note; The happy moment's joy they would not share.

And soon they knew how when first lovers dote, True love's sweet bliss can conquer worldly care.

Oh, blissful joy-filled moments, soon you go, So like a dream, a sweetly fading tune.

Oh, paradise on earth we briefly know, Why drive you forth your favoured ones so soon, Your pleasures but a fleeting moment show?

Why give them bitter sorrow as your boon?

But does not briefest joy pain overthrow, And blunt of life the sharpest anguish keen?

Be sure it does! If once true love we know, Life's further joys or sorrows nothing mean- Love only is remembered as we go, Though we a lifetime naught but grief have seen.

While both the lovers felt a joy divine, An evil presence in the lake close by Looked in the window with a will malign, A water snake-false Spidala's grim eye!

Soon marked Laimdota that the time was late, She had to leave because the time had flown.

Bearslayer through the night resolved to wait; Since he stood firm she took the path alone.

Bearslayer conquers demons and raises the Sunken Castle

Past midnight hour the castle grew so dank, Bearslayer only warmed himself somehow, By lighting in the hearth a broken plank.

He waited then for what would happen now.

In all the rooms a sudden whirlwind ran, And seven demon fiends rushed through the door.

They bore a coffin with an ancient man, Like scythes his teeth, like knives the nails he bore.

Although at first it seemed that he was dead, He moved himself and uttered ghastly groans, With opened eyes, "How cold I am!" he said.- An unwished shudder gripped Bearslayer's bones.

He scarce could bear a voice so fearsome grim.

He banked the fire, then from the coffin's bounds, Drew forth the man and said these words to him: "Grow warm, you h.e.l.l-hound, only-cease these sounds!"

But now the old man snarled, and tried to seize And tear Bearslayer's ears with his sharp tooth.- It seemed he knew Bearslayer's strength would ease, So he could fight and overpower the youth.

Bearslayer struggling held him in the fire; His hair was burning, but despite this plight, Bearslayer swore: "No rescue from the pyre, Until the castle rises to the light."

A noise was heard, and through the open door Rushed Spidala the witch, and with her came The seven demons who had come before, With pitchforks armed, reflecting red the flame.

They fell upon Bearslayer one and all, And with their forks they made to stab at him: There at the fore-they answered to her call- Came Spidala, her eyes aglitter grim.

Bearslayer was hard-pressed to face such odds, Until of Staburadze's gift he thought -The mirror that she gave him from the G.o.ds- And from his clothes her magic gla.s.s he brought.

He held it out in Spidala's wild face, And horrid wailing sounded in the gloom, While all the demons shrank down in their place, And spun like motes of dust about the room.

The dust cloud ebbed, the spinning whirlwind died, A cool breeze cleaned the air and light now shone.- A sage old man emerged and greetings cried: "Our people's founder in the days bygone, I Viduveds now guard the Latvian folk!

That you, my son, these demons here could slay Has saved this castle from the dark world's yoke.- Tomorrow it will see the light of day."

"Light to the people too the things will bring Their ancient sires collected in this cell, Among them laws, which from the G.o.dhead spring; Remember these and you will prosper well!- I warmly thank you that you won this fight; Rest now with G.o.ds in Burtnieks's keep.

Your task is done and peaceful through this night, My maidens fair will lull you into sleep."

The old man vanished in the glow once more.

And afterwards three beauteous maids came by; Reed pillows, sheets and blankets warm they bore, And for Bearslayer made a bed to lie.

Full weary grown he lay down for the night, Sweet heavenly songs then sounded in his ear.- With easy breath, his drowsy eyes closed tight, He slept at peace, freed for the night from fear.

Next morning-light into the air to take- Bearslayer, chests and doc.u.ments were raised.

But with them rose the castle from the lake!

Of Burtnieks the folk were sore amazed;- A castle stood upon an island bold, Bathed in the centre of the lake in light.

Her father, straight Laimdota quickly told, Bearslayer in the castle spent the night.

At once he knew that broken was the spell, Rejoiced to see the ancient castle saved, Thence with Laimdota went, pleased well, And found the youth asleep, all dangers braved.