Bearslayer Part 4

He departs from Lielvarde

Next morning, fitted richly as a lord, Bearslayer stood at Lielvarde's gate.

He buckled on his ma.s.sive trusty sword, Took up his spear and shield and felt their weight.

He placed his fur-trimmed cap upon his head And, standing there before his father dear, Made sad farewell, although no tear was shed.- Though brief and stern, the parting was sincere.

The old man spoke of Lielvarde's fame: "Our ancient clan throughout the folk is known; No shameful stain attaches to our name, Our fathers past their heroes' worth have shown.

And you, my son Bearslayer, at your birth, By Destiny's will were marked for honour too; If you pursue his plan and show your worth, The G.o.ds will guard you well and cherish you."

"The world's seductions young men's minds soon reach, While youths, unwitting, oft themselves deceive, So hasten not to do what others teach, But let them seek your counsel to receive.

To recognize the truth is pa.s.sing rare, To speak it plain unvarnished harder still; In life who learns true witness brave to bear Becomes attuned to virtue's righteous will."

"Maintain in struggles stout your people's way, Your grandsires' teachings always give respect; And never heed what hypocrites may say, Who urge you freedom's spirit to neglect.

Such people for themselves good fortune seek, In finding victims G.o.d's name oft employ, But later with the Devil's poison reek; They serve but evil and-at length-destroy."

"The Latvian people on their own fair sh.o.r.e Do not bow down to lords high-born as sage; They choose themselves their chiefs in time of war- The magistrates in older, peaceful age.

The people know of those who earned great fame By toiling hard in mighty labours long; To these come lasting praise and honoured name, As heroes known they live in endless song."

With earnest soul Bearslayer heard his lord, The heartfelt words of life's wise teachings large.

Into his breast an urgent feeling poured, The wish that he fulfil his father's charge.

And so he promised to observe all that, Embraced his father, pressed his hand so stout, Then leaped into his saddle, doffed his hat, And, raising shield and lance, rode boldly out.

Scene 3: Bearslayer meets Spidala at Aizkraukle

He arrives at the castle

Within the castle, watching from his chair, Sat old Aizkrauklis wrapped in thought profound.

His only daughter, Spidala the fair, Sat at the pane with beads and rings decked round.

Her face possessed a haunting beauty rare, But yet her eyes showed wildness without bound.

And so that tender spell she did not weave, That gently draws and steals the young man's heart; Her ardent eyes too swiftly could deceive- To gaze into them risked a burning dart.

"Oh, Spidala," her father sought her leave, And slowly raised his head in thoughtful art:

"I wish to know an answer still this morn: Whence come those finest jewels that, preening vain, You wear your neck and hands thus to adorn?"- That Spidala then started he saw plain, The question shocked her that his voice had borne, Yet in a trice her answer came again:

"G.o.dmother gave to me these jewels to own, When last into our village she came here; In golden caskets more I have been shown."

The old man spoke: "Alas my daughter dear, Such gifts to take I cannot more condone, And in the future must forbid, I fear."

"She is a witch, and in the people's view, A fearsome dragon shelters in her care; She feeds it on the flesh of humans too.

The dragon brings her jewels and objects rare, Dark evil things, and so I say to you, A pious girl her gifts should never wear."

Now Spidala, to hide her blushing face, Looked out into the courtyard, near too late, And spoke as though his words she gave no grace: "A visitor is. .h.i.ther come in state.

Look where a youthful knight has reached this place, And down below will pa.s.s in through the gate!"-

The Castle of Aizkraukle lonely stands, Far distant from the Daugava's verdant bounds, And in the forest roam wild bears in bands, While in the night the howl of wolves loud sounds.

Uncertain paths lead through these risky lands, And strangers seldom reach the castle's grounds.

Thus Spidala with wonder took good heed, To see what rider thence the path had brought, Who rode into the castle on his steed.- Aizkrauklis too from out the window sought To test of him his measure and his breed, As young Bearslayer reined within the court.

He bowed towards the window, then, polite, He said his path to Burtnieks must run, His neighbour's care he sought thus for the night.- Aizkrauklis hurried out, his friendship won, And warmly told his pleasure at the sight Of famous Lielvarde's mighty son.

Bearslayer falls under Spidala's spell

The handsome youth dismounted lithely then; A stable lad swift to his stirrup ran.

He pressed the old man's hand once and again, And entered straight the castle's lofty span.- But soon as Spidala approached the men, Within his bones a shivering cold began.

Such beauty in his life had had no peer!- The deep, dark eyes of Spidala grew wide, And in their depths enchanted flame burned clear.

With outstretched hand a greeting warm she cried: "A stately knight so bold is welcome here.

A future hero's presence swells our pride."

His tongue struck dumb, Bearslayer found no word.- Of jewelled beauty fit to conquer men, In his short life he had not seen nor heard.- No answer came, so Spidala turned then, With gliding litheness serpentlike she stirred, And deeply gazed into his eyes again.

Her body moved with strangely supple grace, So lithe it made the young man's senses swim.

But then Aizkrauklis sent the girl apace To make at once and serve a feast for him.- So soon her sensuous beauty left the place, Bearslayer's mind returned to matters grim.

When later fitting words he found at last, Then Spidala made answer in fair guise; The frightful swooning moment now was past.- The young man, heeding wisdom's counsel wise, Firm armed himself, though piercing looks flew fast, That burning shot from Spidala's dark eyes.

The night drew on; the fleeting time soon went, And Spidala, uneasy at the hour, Soon said she felt within her limbs the bent Before the midnight's chime to seek her bower.

And if Bearslayer too were weary spent, To bed she would direct him, in the tower.

The young man went, by Spidala struck deep, But by Aizkrauklis with "Rest well," consoled.

She led the youth across the castle's keep, Into a jewelled bedroom hung with gold.

"This night in G.o.dlike comfort you will sleep,"

She smiling said, "Bearslayer, hero bold."

Bearslayer gazed with wonder at the sight: As soft and fine as drifted snow the bed, With purple covers decked, and sheets of white, And trimmed all round with ribbons of blood red.

Sweet-smelling breezes wafted through the night, And like enchantments circled round his head.

He stared at Spidala's lush beauty rare, Bewitching charms that drew his yearning praise.

Forgetting straight all caution's wisdom there, The young man dared his arms to her to raise.

At once a shadow dark flew through the air, And Spidala straight vanished from his gaze.-

The midnight sky a host of stars had brought; From heaven shone the moonlight's ghostly glow, That in the valley bars of silver wrought.

Within his room the youth, with spirit low, Threw back his shutter, gazed out on the court, And heavy air breathed sadly, deep and slow.

Once more it seemed to him that in the air Dark shadows high across the moon flew hence.

Perhaps foul witches from the Devil's lair To blackest work flew out, he knew not whence.

At once Bearslayer firm resolved to dare, And seek how Spidala had gone from thence.

Spidala is revealed as a witch

Next morning soon the youth made this request: It pleased him in the castle there so well, He wished to stay a few short days as guest, There in his neighbour's pleasant halls to dwell.

Aizkrauklis straight agreed that he should rest, With pleasure felt his heart begin to swell.

As night there deepened, Spidala soon said: "Our guest the castle's pa.s.sages now knows, And when he wants can go alone to bed."

She left the room and wished them sweet repose!