Bird Gods in Ancient Europe 



Kalev their departure hastened. 

 Urging Linda to departure. 

 Grouse-child her good-bye to utter. 

 His fair swan to stop the party. 



And on their sleigh-ride to the new home of 

 the bride Kalev remarks — 



O my Linda, O my darling. 

 What at home have you forgotten f 

 Threefold things have you forgotten : 

 First the Moon before your dwelling 

 And he is your ancient Father ; 

 Next the Sun before the bath house 

 And he is your ancient Uncle ; 

 Then the birch-trees at your window 

 And they are your blossoming brothers. 

 Are your cousins from the woodland. 



The allusion to birches refers to the birch- 

 grouse from whose egg Linda was born ; the 

 allusion to the moon as her father refers to 

 her poetical, mythological descent from a moon 

 god. If their son is the cuckoo, Linda may 

 be guessed a swan. Now with Leda, the 



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