Bearslayer Part 20

"This package is the pact I signed, When evil deeds to do I swore.

With this I now can freedom find, And break the Devil's grip once more.

For now I can dissolve the pact, Can do good deeds, while yet alive, And seek as much for good to act, As once I would for evil strive!"

The magic staff forth now she brought, With which the crone the sailors woke, When human flesh her sons had sought, Went to the beach to save the folk.- She entered every ship and boat, That lay pinned fast upon the sh.o.r.e, And with the staff each sleeper smote, And all rose up, alive once more.

To them it seemed a single night That they had slept, and nothing more, And so their sprightly step was light, That took them round the island's sh.o.r.e.

Bearslayer stood and watched them long, Then suddenly surprise he knew, For with Koknesis in the throng There stood Laimdota clear in view!

SCENE 3: The return to the Fatherland

Bearslayer, Koknesis and Laimdota are reunited

Escaped from in the convent's bound Laimdota travelled with her knight Through journeys long a seaport found, And there a ship to give them flight.- To foreign ports the sailors sought To bring their goods and make their trade, And on the Daugava's bank they thought To see the castle newly made.

Of this Laimdota nothing knew, Nor knew Koknesis, of this fort, And of their loved ones nothing too, Since far away they had been brought.

And thus it was their fervent will To seek out soon the Fatherland.- Though Destiny's wish all would fulfil, The course proved longer than they planned!

As with Bearslayer, now the crone Sent storms so that their way they lost, And soon, from off their course far blown, Upon an unknown sea they tossed.

They wandered blind a lengthy while, Until one day the lookout hailed On sighting clear a pleasant isle, To which with grat.i.tude they sailed.

Come near the isle, the ship raced fast, As though a storm wind drove its quest, Until, unstoppable, at last It ran on sh.o.r.e among the rest.

Upon the isle a sage old man Across the bridge now led them all That to the palace entrance ran; A sumptuous meal stood in its hall.

Then, after all had had their fill, On their own ship they deeply drowsed, And slept away the time until, By Spidala disturbed, they roused.- About their feelings who can tell, Here with Bearslayer now to stand?

Upon his neck Laimdota fell, Koknesis firmly pressed his hand.

How many words there now flowed free, When each unchecked could full relate Adventures faced on land and sea, Of tribulations and harsh fate?

Bearslayer full believed his love; Doubts disappeared-his trust was sure.

Again they swore by powers above Their faithfulness for evermore.

Alone and separate from the band, No contact Spidala now sought, Until Bearslayer took her hand, Her to the others gently brought.

He told them how, now free again, Brave Spidala helped break the spell.

With grat.i.tude Laimdota then, Koknesis too, both thanked her well.

They asked her to become their friend.

And Spidala her friendship swore, And vowed that she would help defend Against all trials the future bore.

Well Spidala the island knew, And so the other folk apace She guided all its comforts through.- It proved to be a fruitful place.

So fair it was some made a vow To settle there, and thought it well, Because the island's master now Bearslayer was, who broke the spell, That he should stay some weeks or more, Until these folk a chieftain chose.- Across the bridge now lived the four, Within the palace of their foes.

This building Spidala knew too: She showed her friends a wondrous h.o.a.rd, Preserved in chambers there to view, Where many things to eat were stored.

Our countrymen here happy grew, Had been content upon this sh.o.r.e, But for the longing that they knew, Their fathers' land to see once more.

They longed to serve the Fatherland, To fight and make its troubles cease.- But Destiny's will had not thus planned A life for them of joy and peace.

Then came the day they chose, again To journey back where they were born, And so Bearslayer spoke out plain, The people how to live would warn.

Koknesis confesses his love for Spidala

Koknesis, walking sunk in thought, The island crossed with solemn stride, The pleasant valley pensive sought, Where, in the well, the witch had died.

Far off, a flame soon caught his gaze, And near the well, his searching view Showed Spidala beside the blaze, With magic staff and package too.

Enchanted words aloud she spoke, As both into the fire she cast: "Into thin air, like dust or smoke, Now vanish: Make me free at last!"

At this there reared up from the pyre, And hung a moment in the air, A writhing dragon made of fire, That crackling vanished soon from there.

The earth devoured the fire away, And twilight cloaked the valley floor.

Then Spidala fell down and lay, While from her eyes flowed tears once more.

Touched now, Koknesis took her part, And gently spoke and helped her rise: "Why, little one, so sick at heart, That tears flow from your comely eyes?"

Then Spidala felt rising shame, Her answer spoke with voice so small: "These tears I weep in joy's sweet name, And for the future's hope they fall."

"I yearn to start my life once more, The evil of the past put by.- Forget whatever here you saw, And let my secret with you lie.

Though soon our paths will separate stand, Your memory long my heart will keep."

At this Koknesis took her hand, And answered her with feelings deep:

"Oh, Spidala, your secret dark For all my life will stay well hid.

Already but the half you mark Of wicked things that once you did; Then why should I remember them?

But I a secret now must tell, Which, if your heart does not contemn, Will link our paths together well."

"Fair Spidala, I love you true.

Come, travel now with me life's quest!"- When Spidala his heart's love knew, She paled and asked with heaving breast: "Have you not yet, Koknesis, learned, Whom you as bride seek to persuade?

Beside this well just now I burned A compact with the Devil made!"

"I know," then said Koknesis stern, "But that it vanished also saw!

I know too what respect those earn Who fall and yet rise up once more.

More surely to their feet they rise Than those who never fall have known."

When Spidala, stunned by surprise, Still hesitated, this his tone:

If his first love her could not reach, Then it had been a better fate To stay as stone upon the beach.- At this she did not hesitate: "If love so strong is felt by you, I cannot seek another man; So take me, I will be as true, As in this world a woman can!"

With joy Koknesis held her tight, And kissed her tears away complete.- A warm breeze wafted through the night; It was Great Laima's blessing sweet.

They return home safely

Then came the day they homeward sailed, Their ship set forth upon the sea.

The island's magic power had failed, And from the spell the ship was free.-

His friends Koknesis told his love, Bearslayer and Laimdota too.

Both now rejoiced, since from above Such happiness is sent to few.

All sorrows now they soon forgot, That they had suffered in the past.

Their strong desire to leave this spot, Back to their land of birth at last.-

No more delays to block them seemed; The North Wind sent no raging storm, As though the great Sea Mother deemed Their journey worthy to perform.

The far horizon showed them clear, Thick forests that they joyful hailed, The sh.o.r.e rose up, drew ever near.- Into the Daugava's mouth they sailed.

CANTO VI THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE INVADERS

Scene 1: The Midsummer's Eve Festival