Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: RUNE XXVII. THE UNWELCOME GUEST. I Have brought young Kaukomieli, Brought the Islander and hero, Also known as Lemminkainen, Through the jaws of death and ruin, Through the darkling deeps of Kalma, To the homesteads of Pohyola, To the dismal courts of Louhi; Now must I relate his doings, Must relate to all my hearers, How the merry Lemminkainen, Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, Wandered through Pohyola's chambers, Through the halls of Sariola, How the hero went unbidden To the feasting and carousal, Uninvited to the banquet. Lemminkainen full of courage, Full of life, and strength, and magic, Stepped across the ancient threshold, To the centre of the court-room, And the floors of linwood trembled, Walls and ceilings creaked and murmured. Spake the reckless Lemminkainen, These the words that Ahti uttered: " Be ye greeted on my coming, Ye that greet, be likewise greeted Listen, all ye hosts of Pohya; Is there food about this homestead, Barley for my hungry courser, Beer to give a thirsty stranger ? " Sat the host of Sariola At the east end of the table, Gave this answer to the questions: " Surely is there in this homestead, For thy steed an open stable, Never will this host refuse thee, Shouldst thou act a part becoming, Worthy, coming to these portals, Waiting near the birchen rafters, In the spaces by the kettles, By the triple hooks of iron." Then the reckless Lemminkainen Shook his sable locks and answered: " Lempo may perchance come hither, Let him fill this lowly station, Let him stand between the kettles, That with soot he may be blackened. Never has my ancient father, Never has the dear old hero, Stood upon a spot unworthy, At the portals near the rafters; For his steed the best of stables, Food and shelter gladly furnished, And a room for his attendant...