> Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 22:43:10 +1000
> From: "John Hughes" <nysalor_at_primus.com.au>
> Subject: TAN: Kalevala / Odaylan Verse
>
> TAN: KALEVALA
>
> Nils:
>
> >
> > To the previous mentions of Kalevala as inspiration I'd
> > like to add that there are a number of interesting hero
> > quests in it, including a failed one.
>
> "The Sampo is forged, a rogue screws,
> there's a wedding, a murder, the blues,
> a serf bites the dust,
> the Sampo gets bust
> and Finland receives the Good News."
>
> I somehow missed Joerg's (?) initial reference, but have to add my two
> clacks worth about the beauty and inspiration of Kalevala, the last flower
> of a heroic age when words meant more than iron.
And alas something that just doesn't translate to english too well.
The myth that followed was nice work John.
> Of what use are we singers
> what good we cuckoo-callers
> if no fire spurts from our mouth
> no brand from beneath our tongues
> and no smoke after our words!
>
> - - Kalevala. Translated by Keith Bosley.
hmm... that actually sounded a bit like the original. What a shame that
nobody understands finnish.
-Adept
"thinker, dreamer and adventurer"