amoinen built a boat, asking the God of the Forest to supply him
with the necessary material for its different parts. When questioned,
the trees one after another declare they are unfit for ship-building,
until the oak proffers its strong trunk. Wainamoinen now constructs
his vessel, but discovers he lacks three "master words" to finish it
properly. After vainly seeking these words among birds and animals, he
crosses the River of Death in a boat, only to find the magic formula
is unknown even to the angel of Death! The words are, however, well
known to Wipunen, a giant of whom he goes in quest. Prying open the
monster's lips to force him to speak, Wainamoinen stumbles and
accidentally falls into the huge maw and is swallowed alive. But,
unwilling to remain indefinitely in the dark recesses of the giant's
body, Wainamoinen soon sets up a forge in the entrails of the
colossus, thus causing him such keen discomfort that the monster
proposes to eject his guest, who flatly refuses to be dislodged until
he learns the magic words. Having thus cleverly secured what he is
seeking, Wainamoinen returns home and completes a boat, which proves
self-propelling, and speedily bears him to the Northland to woo the
Maiden of the Rainbow.

Thus the ancient Wainamoinen
Built the boat with magic only,
And with magic launched his vessel,
Using not the hand to touch it,
Using not the foot to move it,
Using not the knee to turn it,
Using nothing to propel it.
Thus the third task was completed,
For the hostess of Pohyola,
Dowry for the Maid of Beauty
Sitting on the arch of heaven,
On the bow of many colors.

_Rune XVIII._ Wainamoinen's departure in the magic vessel is noted by
Ilmarinen's sister, who immediately informs her brother a suitor is
starting to woo the girl he covets. Jumping into his sled Ilmarinen
drives off, and both suitors approach the maiden's dwelling from
different points at the self-same time. Seeing them draw near, the
witch Louhi bids her daughter accept the older man--because he brings
a boat-load of treasures--and to refuse the empty-handed youth. But
the daughter, who prefers a young bridegroom, declares that the smith
who fashioned the incomparable Sampo cannot be an undesirable match.
When Wainamoinen therefore lands from his ship and invites her to go
sailing with him, she refuses his invitation. Heavy-hearted,
Wainamoinen is obliged to return home alone, and, on arriving there,
issues