Canto 2 (An old-time soldier knew I there…)

An old-time soldier knew I there,— 2Relic of days long vanished; An Ensign's title did he bear, 2But Fortune's smile was banished. God knoweth how he came one day To dwell where I had come to stay.

I saw myself the best of men, 2In all my merits vaster; I was a student-tutor then, 2And bore the name of master; My "portion" kept me overfed,— By grace the old man ate his bread.

O golden time, O life inspired 2But for delight and pleasure, When youthful student, vigor-fired, 2Imbibes life's fullest measure!— Nor other worry yet doth know Than that his moustache grows so slow!

It was my greatest sport to glance 2Upon his bony figure, His manner stiff, his countenance, 2His coat not cut with rigor; But most of all, his eagle nose, Whereon his rimless glasses rose!

Down to the old man oft I drew, 2To play some harmless antic. It was my joy, when vexed he grew 2And tore his netting frantic, To take the needle from his hand, And knit a false loop in the strand!

Then swift he'd spring; to flight bestirred, 2I from the cot was driven; Tobacco and a friendly word 2Brought peace and sin forgiven. As I had come, I came once more, And played the same prank as before.

But how it happened, hear my song: 2Of sports I found me sated; 'Twas winter-time, my day was long, 2Though daylight soon abated; It seemed so unlike days before, I thought it never would be o'er.

I took a book—the first that came— 2To kill the hours diurnal,— A war-tale with no author's name,— 2Of Finland's last the journal. Unbound it lay, as though by grace, But mid bound volumes held its place.

I took it to my room; I staid, 2And o'er the pages fumbled; Till strange! Mine eyes on the brigade 2Of Savolaks had stumbled. One line I read, then two I read, And swift my heart to beating sped.

'Twas finished, and the evening too, 2Yet all my fire was burning; I found so much I never knew, 2Whereof I would be learning; The mystic scroll I would unroll; And then I sought old Ensign Stål.

He sat where he had sat before, 2Of wonted task tenacious. I marked, when first within his door, 2His glance to me ungracious; He seemed this question to indite: "Can one not e'en have rest at night?"

But former thoughts from me had fled, 2I came with spirit altered: "Of Finland's latest war I've read,— 2A Finn myself," I faltered. "To hear still more my soul has burned; Perchance by you I'll not be spurned."

What blood-scenes had been his to greet, 2To share what perils fated,— Not only triumph, but defeat 2With sting yet unabated! So much the world had now forgot Lay shrined within his faithful thought.

There sat I mute, with ear intent; 2No word of his was wasted; The night already was half spent, 2When from his cot I hasted. He followed to the threshold's rand, And warmly pressed my offered hand.

Since then he only seemed content 2With me, but not with others; Our pain we shared, our joy we blent, 2Our "vapen" smoked as brothers. He was the autumn, I the spring,— But student I, he more than king!