Bearslayer Part 24

Just Daniel Bannerov lived through, Was taken prisoner, yet alive.

The knight was given, on that day, Into the village elders' hands, Revenge to take in their own way For his base deeds within their lands.

Bearslayer and Laimdota know brief peace

Of Lielvarde word spread wide, It was Bearslayer's home once more!

In every house on every side, To all, great joy the tidings bore.

As though new-born all felt fresh life, And those, who to the forest's s.p.a.ce Had fled from there to hide from strife, Returned and took their former place.

All hurried then in joyful ranks To Lielvarde's castle gate, To greet Bearslayer and give thanks That he had saved them from harsh fate; Their mood was bright with victory's glance.- A feast gave Lielvardis there, Where all could eat and drink and dance, And booty was divided fair.

The chiefs exulted, then one day, All thought of Daniel's crimes once more.

They dragged him out, led him away, And took him to the Daugava's sh.o.r.e.

"You, German dog," to him they cried, "Through you we felt the fire's scald!

But power now is on our side- To you we give the water's cold!"

They took a plank of wood at last, And on his back tied to the beam Placed Daniel there, with ropes made fast, And pushed it in the river's stream: "Sail to your homeland back," they mocked, "Go seek your brothers' welcoming hands!

And take the foreign faith, here blocked, Away with you to other lands!"

By fear they had not felt before The Strangers all were gripped when told About the mighty feats in war Performed by Latvia's hero bold.

They ran away from every side And fled to Riga with one mind, In its cathedral sought to hide, In those strong walls a haven find.

But even there, in this dark hour, No longer safety Albert knew- That soon in Baltic lands his power Would fade away, this was his view.

And so, to get more armoured knights, He sailed the sea to German sh.o.r.e, Men to recruit to fight his fights, And in the spring renew the war.

In Riga, ruling in his place, He left false Kaupa, who explained, He would protect by G.o.d's good grace All Christian Strangers who remained.

The danger now was fully spent, Bearslayer knew, throughout the land, And so his soldiers homeward sent.- In Lielvarde, hand in hand Peace with Laimdota now found there.

She worked inside all to restore, He strove the buildings to repair, And farmyard labours oversaw.

Koknesis too from war returned, And Aizkrauklis, from battle spent.

With Spidala, to rest well earned, To Aizkraukle all three now went.

From them with love they took their leave Bearslayer and Laimdota both; In parting sought not deep to grieve, To friends' good fortune made an oath.

Old Lielvardis, with his friend, To Burtnieks's castle rode.

The two old men wished in the end To make together their abode.

To satisfy their own deep needs Now lived Bearslayer and his bride.

Although great fame came through their deeds, And honour from the people's side, There on the Daugava's pleasant sh.o.r.e At last they found what, all above, Their hearts throughout had missed so sore- Sweet happiness and married love!

Scene 4: The death of Bearslayer and the conquest of Latvia

The secret of Bearslayer's strength is revealed

The springtime came and, once again, Clothed hills and valleys all in green; And wakened nature's creatures then, That frisky gambolling could be seen.

Within our Fatherland it seemed That warlike times had safely pa.s.sed.

All stayed at home because they deemed That springtime work should start at last.

They fixed the plough and beat the share, Worked hard each fence and yard to mend.- And even Kangars sought fresh air, And worked his garden beds to tend.

He cut off branches, stakes drove in, To help the plants there healthy grow.

His face looked sullen now, and thin, And let despairing feelings show.

The seed sown in his Fatherland, As everywhere, so with him too, Had borne a bitter fruit unplanned, And disappointment now he knew.

The people no more came in need, As once in droves to him they poured; The Strangers took of him no heed.- But something else within him gnawed:

Bearslayer lived unharmed, and worse, Had lasting fame among the folk, And Spidala fled Satan's curse, When from his grasping claws she broke.

His future now was death, he knew, And all the torments that would give; Condemned he was, his last years through, With bitter heart each day to live.

And so he scarcely felt more fear, When, as the sun was growing dim, He heard a voice, his garden near, In hollow tones that greeted him.

He raised his head, and at the gate, There cruel Dietrich came in view.

Then Kangars spoke, these words to state: "I truly am amazed that you Should visit here, your presence show.

Did growing fat on roasted meat Within stone castles tedious grow?"

Then Dietrich thus could Kangars greet:

"The feasts I ate there did not pall; But soon of them will be no more, Unless your powers heed my call.

If you will help, reward is sure."

He said it was the Bishop's will, New troops to Riga soon to lead, But all would be in vain while still Bearslayer all the Baltic freed, And stood against the German force.

From Kangars aid they sought, to show Of bold Bearslayer's strength the source, So that a knight could lay him low.

Then Kangars gave this answer back: Ten times he had upon the Earth Loosed giants and his demon pack, But all had been of little worth.

Bearslayer killed them all in fights, And had escaped each plot in turn.

If now Bearslayer scythed down knights, That were to Kangars small concern.

But yet, another circ.u.mstance Led him to be the hero's foe- Though just what plan would have a chance Against the youth, he did not know.

h.e.l.l's demons often served him well, Consulted, they might find a way.

If in his hut were fit to dwell, Then Dietrich there some time could stay.

That night then Kangars all alone Tight shut himself within his room, That Dietrich, if he heard him groan, Would not know fear within the gloom.

At midnight then a whirlwind's throes Shook hard the house from all around; Where Kangars dwelled loud groaning rose, And then was heard a screeching sound.

So horrible that, out of fear, On Dietrich's head stood up his hair; He crossed himself, such sounds to hear, And loud recited every prayer.- No pause to sleep by day or night, Long Kangars strove, help to invoke; The third day at the morning's light, These earnest words to Dietrich spoke:

"Accursed to all will be the day Bearslayer's secret was exposed; As traitors, curses too our pay.

Here through our deeds, quite unopposed, The Evil One will soon be free To do at will each wicked deed.

My guilty henchman, hark to me, To what I tell you pay good heed."

"A mother bear Bearslayer bore; The babe a holy hermit sired.

His mother's line gave strength, but more- Through her the youth bear's ears acquired, And if opponents can prevail, And both his ears slice off with speed, His mighty power at once will fail.

Enough! Go now. No thanks I need."

Bearslayer and the Black Knight fight to the death

The Bishop, Albert, now brought back A host of knights to fight anew.

Among them was a knight in black, Who well the work of plundering knew.