than it topples over, and she sinks to the bottom of
the sea! There Aino perishes, and the water is formed of her blood,
the fish from her flesh, the willows from her ribs, and the sea-grass
from her hair! Then all nature wonders how the news of her drowning
shall be conveyed to her parents, and when the bear, wolf, and fox
refuse to transmit so sad a message, the sea-maidens depute the hare,
threatening to roast him unless he does their bidding.

Learning her daughter has perished thus miserably, the mother of Aino
recognizes that parents should not compel daughters to marry against
their will.

"Listen, all ye mothers, listen,
Learn from me a tale of wisdom:
Never urge unwilling daughters
From the dwellings of their fathers,
To the bridegrooms that they love not,
Not as I, inhuman mother,
Drove away my lovely Aino,
Fairest daughter of the Northland."

Her sorrow is such that three streams of tears flow from her eyes and,
increasing as they flow, form cataracts, between which rise three
pinnacles of rock, whereon grow birches, upon which cuckoos forever
chant of "love, suitors, and consolation!"

_Rune V._ The news of Aino's death travels swiftly southward, and
Wainamoinen, hearing that his bride has perished, is plunged in grief.
When he seeks consolation from the water-maidens they bid him go out
fishing. After angling for many a day, he finally secures a salmon,
larger and more beautiful than any fish ever seen before. He is
opening his knife to cut the salmon open, when it suddenly springs
back into the deep, saying it was Aino who had come to join him but
who now escapes in punishment for his cruelty. Not discouraged by this
first failure, Wainamoinen fishes on, until the spirit of his mother
bids him travel northward and seek a suitable wife among the Lapps.

"Take for thee a life companion
From the honest homes of Suomi,
One of Northland's honest daughters;
She will charm thee with her sweetness,
Make thee happy through her goodness,
Form perfection, manners easy,
Every step and movement graceful,
Full of wit and good behavior,
Honor to thy home and kindred."

_Rune VI._ Preparing for a journey northward, Wainamoinen bestrides
his magic steed, and galloping over the plains of Kalevala crosses the
Blue Sea as if it were land. The bard Youkahainen, foreseeing his
coming, lies in wait for him and prepares arrows to shoot him,
although his mother warns him not to atte