Introduction

TRANSLATED BY CHARLES TOMLINSON AND HENRY GIFFORD

Desolate flowed the waters : he
standing upon their shore and full
with the prospect of his thoughts
gazed distance down : the pull
of the river's sweep and breadth
fronted him here : a dug-out skiff
sped by in vistaed loneliness :
the shores of moss and swamp let show
black huts in which the wretched Finn
huddles himself against the snow :
and forest which the light of sun
shut-back by mist had never known
soughed round : his thoughts thrust on :
From here our threat shall reach the Swede
...