They sought for one to christen him — one to baptise the gnawing boy
At the well of Kaleva's son, upon the props[1] of a little hand-sleigh.
But no place was found there,
Not in ten villages, not at seven door-hinges.
However, Rickets was baptised, the ill-omened boy was christened
31{On a beach, on a water-girt stone,
v. On a stone upon the open sea,
32 Passed over by a wave, lightly touched by a wave.
Was the water clean with which Rickets was baptised ?
The water was not clean, that water was commixed with blood.
Harlots had washed (in it) their linen caps — bad women their shirts.
Their jackets ragged at the edge, their smelling petticoats.
Therein Rickets was baptised — the ill-omened boy was christened,
A name was given to the evil boy — the name of Rickets to the wretch.
Variants.
31, 32 In the bloody house of Hiitola, while swine were being slaughtered.
32 On the water-lily leaf of a pond.
In a doorless room, entirely windowless.
(b.)
How was Rickets possessed — the "evil snail" sent.
The "bloody dog" (sent) to eat — "Hiisi's cur" to lacerate?
Thus was Rickets possessed — the "evil snail" sent
To devour, to gnaw, to bite, to irritate.
A raven fluttered in the sky, blood spirted from its beak
Down on the end of a small pine (bench), down on the end of an iron bench.
From that filthy Rickets originated — the evil offspring set itself
- ↑ Short wooden props fitted into runners to support the bottom of the sleigh.
