--- title: The Maid of the Morning — The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North · full text with trees description: The Maid of the Morning, «The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North» by James Baldwin: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The voyage was scarcely begun. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/19/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old No…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/) / The Maid of the Morning # The Maid of the Morning The Maid of the Morning of «The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North» by James Baldwin: the whole text, 123 sentences and 2018 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. The voyage was scarcely begun.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Close on the starboard side appeared the headland of Wainola; directly in front lay the bar, a long, narrow, pebbly beach, jutting far out into the deep sea.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Like an old and skilled seaman, the Minstrel suddenly changed his vessel’s course, veering sharply towards the west in order to pass round the low-lying barrier.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") But, just as the boat was gliding through the shallow water near the end of the bar, the wind ceased blowing.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") The sails hung useless from the mast; not a breath of air was stirring; scarcely a ripple could be seen on the face of the sea.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The fairy vessel hesitated, then stopped stock-still not forty paces from dry land.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Was the South Wind angry?[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Why should she treat the prince of minstrels in this ungrateful manner?[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") But Wainamoinen did not stop to argue; he was too wise to find fault with wind and weather.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") He looked on this side of the little ship—nothing but water, growing deeper and deeper and stretching away and away to the blue horizon.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") He looked on that side—the shallow water, the narrow bar, and beyond it the great northern sea and the winding shore which marked the way to the Frozen Land.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Then quickly he seized his other oar, and thrust it out over the gunwales.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") He was preparing to row the boat around the bar, when suddenly he was startled by hearing his name called, not harshly, but in tones of friendship and inquiry.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") He looked up.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") His face grew red with confusion, his lips trembled with vexation; for, right before his eyes, he saw one whom he by no means wished to see.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Midway between the boat and the sandy, pebbly bar a maiden was standing knee-deep in the quiet water.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Her head was bare, save for the long, dark tresses that fell in profusion over her shoulders and dipped their ends into the wavelets that were playing modestly above her bare white ankles.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Her cheeks were red—red as the dawn of a summer day.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Her eyes were dark—dark as the midnight hour in winter.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") One of her fair hands was raised to shade her face from the glaring noonday sun; in the other she held a bundle of long silken ribbons which she had been washing in the sea.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") “O Wainamoinen!” called the maiden.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “O hero of the sea, do you know me?”[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") “Truly do I know you,” answered the Minstrel; and, pulling in his oar, he dropped it with a crash upon the deck.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") “You are Anniki, the maid of the morning.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") You are the sister of my dearest friend, the master Smith.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") It was only yesterday that we sat together at the table of your good mother, Dame Lokka.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") So, why should I not know you?”[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well,” said the maiden, and she laughed while speaking, “memories are sometimes short, and even a minstrel may forget.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Aren’t you glad to see me?”[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") “Indeed, your face should make the surliest of men happy,” answered the gallant Minstrel; “but, tell me, what errand has brought you hither?[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Why are you here, so far from home and all alone?”[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") “Oh, this is our wash day,” laughed Anniki, and she danced in the water until the white bubbles floated all around her.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") “See these ribbons that I have just cleaned.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") See the clothes that are spread on the sandy beach to dry.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") There are still others hanging on the bushes a little way up the shore.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Don’t you think that I am in-dus-tri-ous?”[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") “Surely, Anniki; and you deserve to be the wife of an industrious man.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") I wonder how any maiden can do so much washing in one short morning.”[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well, I get up early,” said the maiden, pirouetting in the shallow water.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") “I was here at the break of day, and not a minute have I been idle since.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") But now my work is done and I’m going to play.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Tra-la-la!”[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel stood on the deck of his becalmed and motionless ship and looked at her.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") His face betrayed both wonder and vexation, and he muttered to himself: “She is a witch and I know it.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") She has done more than wash clothes.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") It is she that has lulled the South Wind to sleep and halted my voyage at its very beginning.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") She will spoil all my plans.”[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Suddenly Anniki paused in the midst of her dancing and cried out, “O Wainamoinen\![48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Where are you going in that fine boat?”[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel frowned, he pursed his lips, vexation filled his heart.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he answered curtly, “I am going around to the great north bay to fish for salmon.”[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Anniki shrieked with laughter.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") “Do you think I’ll believe that story?” she said.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") “I know something about salmon fishing.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Father and grandfather used to go out often in the season for catching such fish.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Their boat was a plain one—no golden prow nor silver-plated deck nor rainbow-colored sail.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") It was full of nets and snares and other tackle.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") The decks were littered with poles and lines and fishing spears.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The smell of fish filled the vessel and floated thick in the air around it.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Oh, I know something about salmon fishing!”[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she danced another gleeful dance, splashing the water over herself and over the Minstrel, and making little waves that rocked the fairy boat to and fro but did not stir it from its place.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") At length, growing tired, she spoke again:[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") “O Wainamoinen\![63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Everybody says that you are wise and truthful.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Now tell me truly, where are you going in that beautiful boat?”[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") “I am on my way to the quiet inlets of yonder northern shore,” said the cunning Minstrel.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") “In those pleasant waters many wild geese abound, and there they build their nests and rear their young.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") It is fine sport to lay traps for those red-beaked waterfowl, and better still to shoot them on the wing.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") I hope to fill my boat with the fat fellows, to carry a thousand home for winter eating.”[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") “’Tis no such thing!” cried the maiden angrily, and she beat the water with her feet until the sea seemed boiling around her.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") “Why, I know something about goose hunting.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Father and grandfather used to go out often in the wild-goose season.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Then their long bows stood ready, tight-strung, at the prow of their swift rowboat.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") They kept a fine bird dog always tethered at the stern, and three or four puppy dogs ran whining about the deck.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") But where are your dogs, and where is your long bow?[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") If you are wise and truthful, don’t be foolish.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") I know you are not going to hunt wild geese.”[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") “Perhaps not,” answered the Minstrel, growing somewhat ashamed; “perhaps I am going after larger game.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") In the North a war is raging, the strong are oppressing the weak, as is usual in wars.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") I am sailing thitherward, hoping to do my part in the struggle and to lend my aid to those who deserve it most.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") The wild geese that I shall capture are the foes that I shall overcome in battle.”[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") “’Tis no such thing!” again cried the impatient Anniki.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") “Why, I know something about war and battle.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") Father used to go out to fight for friends and country, to help the weak and worry the strong.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") He went in a large ship which required a hundred men to row it.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") A thousand men stood beside him, fully armed.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") Their shields hung all round the hull of the mighty vessel and a black dragon floated from the masthead.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") Their sword-blades clanged against each other and glittered in the morning light, and their winged helmets were like golden birds of victory resting on their brows.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Oh, yes, Wainamoinen, I know something about war and battle, and you are not going on any fighting errand, I’m sure.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") You have in mind some trick of cunning, and you shall sail no farther in your pretty boat until you tell me truly what that trick is.”[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") The wary Wainamoinen was too proud to be outwitted by a simple maiden, and so he tried another subterfuge.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") He answered her gently, persuasively, and his words were full of guile: “O wise and beautiful maid of the morning, I have been speaking to you in riddles, trusting that you would understand their secret meaning.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Fain would I make everything clear, but I dare not tell it to you where you stand: the fishes would hear me and carry the secret to every corner of the sea; the birds would hear me and convey the news to every land under the sun.”[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") “Then speak out, and be famous,” said Anniki disdainfully.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") “Nay, nay, dear sister\![95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") I would whisper it in your ear.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") The water is not deep, so wade out hither and sit by my side on this shining, silvery deck, and I will tell you the plain truth and a wonderful secret.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") I know your power, Anniki.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") I know that you have chained the winds so that they will carry me no farther on my voyage until you have learned what you wish.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") So why should I try to deceive you?[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Come hither and see the treasures that I have in my boat, and listen to a wonderful story.”[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") The maiden retreated to the shore, splashing the water angrily at every step.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") When she reached the dry sand she turned and looked back at the puzzled hero and his little ship.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she raised both her hands skyward and cried out, “Yes, the winds are mine and they obey me.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") If you try again to deceive me, I will command the East Wind to fall upon your pretty vessel and sink it in the sea.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") If you fail to tell me the truth, I will cause the waves to rise up and swallow you\![106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") Do you hear?”[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Great and powerful wizard though he was, the Minstrel felt himself helpless before this slender girl.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") He was conquered, and well he knew the folly of trying further to deceive her.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") So, speaking softly, gently, as becomes a vanquished hero, he proposed this modest bargain: “If I tell you where I am going and for what purpose, will you promise to waken the South Wind that he may drive my ship forward on its perilous voyage?”[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, yes, friend Wainamoinen,” answered Anniki, very generous as becomes a conqueror.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") “You shall have a fair wind and a smooth sea and my best wishes to the end of your adventure.”[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") “Listen, then,” said the Minstrel.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") “This little vessel is a magic boat, built of strange runes and words of wisdom.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") On it I am hoping to sail to that distant, dismal country of which you have often heard me talk—to Pohyola, the Frozen Land, where wild men live under the ground and eat each other.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") My errand thither is to woo the Maid of Beauty and bring her, willy-nilly, to the Land of Heroes where she shall be the mistress of my dwelling and the joy of my heart——”[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") “Does my brother know about it?” asked Anniki, open-eyed, anxious, still suspicious.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") “Did you tell Ilmarinen about your plans?”[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") “I told no one,” answered the Minstrel; “neither must you do so, Anniki, for this is a secret voyage and if any person should learn why I have undertaken it, all will come to naught.”[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") “Take care of your boat\![120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") The South Wind is awake!” cried Anniki, and the next moment she was running to the mainland with the speed of a deer.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") Her washing was left behind, where she had spread the pieces to dry; her ribbons were scattered upon the sand; even her shoes were forgotten, so hasty was her flight.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") Before the astonished Minstrel could think of anything to say, yes, before he could call to mind a single magic word, she had reached the higher ground and was lost to sight among the stunted pines and cedars.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Launching](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/18/) - next →: [The Unexpected Journey](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/20/) - ↑ back to [The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/)