robe and his
sevenfold vest. Then he rose again on the wings of the wind, and went to
the abode of God to sing and play.

Long did his divine song linger in the mouths of the sons and daughters
of Esthonia. When they wandered in the leafy shades of the holy forest,
they comprehended the gentle rustling of the trees, and the rippling of
the brooks filled them with joyous thoughts. The song of the nightingale
melted their hearts, and the whistling of the larks lifted their minds
to the abodes of God. Then it seemed to them as if Vanemuine himself
wandered through the creation with his harp. And thus he did; and when
the bards of the whole country assembled together to sing, Vanemuine
was always among them, though they did not know him, and he ever kindled
afresh in their bosoms the true fire of song.

It came to pass, at one of these festivals, that a strange old maid took
her place among the singers. Her face was full of wrinkles, her chin
trembled, and one foot was supported by crutches. The old woman began
her song in a grating voice. She sang of her beautiful youth, the happy
days in the house of her parents, and the pitiful ways of the present,
when all joy had vanished. Then she sang of her lovers, who came in
hosts to woo her, and how she had repulsed them all. She concluded her
song with the words--

"Sulev's son came here from Southland,
Further Kalev's son had wandered;
Sulev's son would fain have kissed me,
Kalev's son my hand had taken;
But I smote the son of Sulev,
And in scorn the son of Kalev,
I the fairest of the maidens."

Scarcely had the old woman finished her song, when there arose a loud
shout of laughter among the people, which sounded far over the plain and
was echoed back from the forest. The people sang the old woman's last
words in derision, and their laughter was unceasing till the eldest of
the company stopped it with stern interference. All was still around.
Then an old man on a decorated seat began a magnificent song, which
filled all around with holy joy. But suddenly they heard a voice behind
him, which took up the witch's song afresh. Laughter again arose among
the ranks of people. Again the elder sternly commanded silence, and
those who were gathered round the old man and had heard his song
likewise commanded silence. Then the people were quiet once more.

The old man on the throne of song now raised his voice, and the people
listened to him with delig