the wise decree that old men should never woo mere girls or
attempt to rival young men.

_Rune XIX._ In his turn Ilmarinen now woos the Rainbow Maiden, and is
told by Louhi that ere he can claim his bride he must plough the
serpent-field of Hades, bring back from that place the Tuoni-bear
safely muzzled, and catch a monster pike swimming in the River of
Death Helped by the Maiden of the Rainbow, Ilmarinen accomplishes
these three difficult feats, by first forging the plough, noose, and
fishing eagle required.

_Runes XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, and XXIV._ Now extensive preparations are
made for the marriage of Ilmarinen and the Maiden of the Rainbow. Not
only is the mighty ox of Harjala slain and roasted, but beer is brewed
for the first time in the Northland, and many verses are devoted to
describe the processes by which this national drink was brought to its
state of perfection! When at last Ilmarinen appears to take away his
bride, the Rainbow Maiden seems unwilling to go, and objects that a
wife is her husband's slave, and has to spend all her days in pleasing
him, his father, and his mother. Although her lament is touching
indeed, the bride-advisor directs her to please her new relatives,
admonishes Ilmarinen to treat her kindly, and watches the two set off,
the Rainbow Maiden shedding bitter tears at leaving her beloved home.

_Rune XXV._ The bride and bridegroom are next warmly welcomed by
Ilmarinen's family, old Wainamoinen himself singing at their bridal
feast, and again instructing the bride to be all love and submission
and to expect nothing save bitterness and hardship from marriage.
Having concluded his song by praising the father who built the house,
the mother who keeps it, and having blessed bridegroom and bride,
Wainamoinen departs for the Land of the Dead, to borrow an auger to
repair his sled, which has fallen to pieces while he sang.

_Rune XXVI._ Meanwhile Lemminkainen, angry because he alone has
received no invitation to the wedding banquet, decides, in spite of
his mother's advice, to go forth and take his revenge. Although he has
to overcome a flaming eagle, pass through a pit of fire, slay a wolf
and a bear, and destroy a wall of snakes mounting guard at the
entrance of Lapland before he can reach his destination, his spells
and incantations safely overcome these and other dire perils. _Runes
XXVII and XXVIII._ Reaching Northland at last, Lemminkainen slays the
husband of Louhi, from whom he esca