Bird Gods in Ancient Europe 



learns who he is, she laments the mistake and 

 casts herself into the stream. 



Scarcely had the maiden spoken 



When she bounded from the snow-sledge. 



Rushed upon the rolling river. 



To the cataract's commotion. 



To the fiery stream and whirlpool. 



Thus Kullervo's lovely sister 



Hastened to her own destruction. 



To her death by fire and water. 



Found her peace in Tuonela, 



In the sacred stream of Mana. 



{Rime XXXV, Crawford's translation.) 



The account of KuUervo's birth is strangely- 

 muddled, like those of many other heroes — 

 Kalevipoeg, Cuchullaind of Ireland, Gwalchmei 

 or Gawayne of Britain. His race is obliterated 

 by an envious uncle, Untamo by name ; yet 

 later he finds father, mother, brothers and 

 other sisters, beside the one who drowned her- 

 self. It is as if he found them again in the under- 

 world ; but if so, they scorn him still for his 

 crime. One reads between the lines that he is 



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