--- title: The Field of Serpents — The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North · full text with trees description: The Field of Serpents, «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: Yes, the master Smith was standing at the door. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/24/) [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 Field of Serpents # The Field of Serpents The Field of Serpents of «The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North» by James Baldwin: the whole text, 128 sentences and 2150 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. Yes, the master Smith was standing at the door.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") A hero, indeed, he appeared—tall, handsome, and brave.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Over his shoulders was the sky-blue shawl which his mother had woven for him.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") On his head was the cap of his ancestors, and around his waist a golden girdle was buckled.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") His shoes of reindeer leather were highly polished and his stockings of silk were long and black.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") His embroidered coat was of yellow linen, very fine, and his trousers were of scarlet-colored flannel.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The Maid of Beauty blushed when she saw him; then her face grew white again, and again suddenly red.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Her heart beat hard and fast, her hands trembled.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Never in her life had she beheld a hero so finely clad, so perfect in form, so noble in feature.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") She would have swooned had not pride prevented.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") “Poor men are always fond of gaudy garments,” whispered the mother; and then remembering the law of the hostess she hastened to greet the unwelcome guest.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") She led the hero into the low-raftered hall and gave him a seat beside the smouldering fire.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") She stirred the coals and threw on wood; the flames leaped up and filled the room with brightness.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Maid of Beauty came forward with the bowl of honey and the pitcher of milk, a smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eye.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") “Welcome, weary traveller!” she said.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") “Eat, drink, and be refreshed.”[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") “Nay, nay,” answered the hero.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") “Never under the silver moon will I taste of food till my desire is granted me—till I have leave to take and wed the maiden who is the desire of my heart.”[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") The grim old Mistress grew grimmer still as she answered him: “When wilful maidens choose ’tis folly for mothers to refuse.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") But never should suitor win his bride too easily, lest doing so he prize her too lightly.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") The Maid of Beauty is waiting for you, Ilmarinen, but before you take her your courage must be tested, you must perform the task that I require of you.”[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “Name the task, and I will do it,” said Ilmarinen boastfully as of yore.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") “Was it not I who hammered the sky?[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Did I not forge the Sampo and shape its lid of rainbow colors?”[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") “But this task is different,” responded the Mistress, “and if you fail your life is endangered.”[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tell me what it is and I will perform it,” answered the hero.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “I will drain the sea, I will level the mountains, I will snatch the moon from its place in the sky if you so command me.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") I will do anything to win from you the great treasure, the priceless Maid of Beauty.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") “No doubt the feats you name are easy,” said the Mistress; “but I shall require a harder one.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Before you are permitted to take the Maid of Beauty you must plough the field of serpents that lies in the barren lands beyond the forest of pine.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Twelve furrows you must make lengthwise of the field, and twelve furrows you must make crosswise; and you must plough it deep, without touching either beam or handles.”[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") \[F\][32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") “I have heard of that fearful field,” said Ilmarinen.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") “No man has ever yet gone into it and lived.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") It is more dreadful even than Tuoni’s silent kingdom.”[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, one man has lived,” then spoke the Maid of Beauty.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") “One man, in the old, old times, furrowed the field with a copper ploughshare drawn by horses of fire.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") The beam was of red-hot iron and the handles were of living flame.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") The name of that hero was Piru, and after he had performed his task he came from the field of horrors unbitten and unharmed.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Surely, the task which he performed was hard, but if he succeeded why may not another hero do likewise?”[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Ilmarinen made no answer.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") He rose silently, and with eyes downcast went out of the hall.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") His sledge was standing beside the door; the fleet-footed racer was pawing the ground; the cuckoos were calling, and the bluebirds were singing.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") He sat down upon the soft robes and took the reins in his hands.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he looked up.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") The Maid of Beauty was standing before him, her eyes were full of tears, her face betrayed the grief that was in her heart.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Softly then the hero spoke to her:[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tell me, princess of the rainbow, do you remember when I forged the Sampo and hammered out its lid of many colors?[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Then it was that I vowed a solemn vow.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") I swore by anvil and tongs, by hammer and smoke, by forge and fire, that I would some day win you to be my bride.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Now, by the token of honey and milk, you have promised yourself to me.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") But your mother has set me a task that is full of peril.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") So, come now, maiden of the twilight.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Come sit beside me in my sledge of magic, and I will carry you swiftly, safely to my own country, to my own dear fireside.”[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") The Maid of Beauty drew back; her cheeks blushed crimson and her eyes flashed fire as she answered:[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") “Never will I wed a coward.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Never will I wed without my mother’s consent, for just punishment surely waits for disobedient daughters.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") You must plough the field of serpents, or I will never, never be your bride.”[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") “The task is a hard one, it is full of peril,” said Ilmarinen, as his courage came slowly back to him.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") “But I will perform it; I will plough the field of serpents, and no man nor maiden shall call me a coward.”[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") “Then let me tell you something,” said the Maid of Beauty.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") “You are a great smith and skilled in working with all sorts of metals.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") You are a cunning wizard and wise in magic.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Your smithy still stands deep in the silent forest—the smithy which you built when you forged the Sampo.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Go thither and make for yourself a golden plough wherewith to furrow the field of serpents.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Make its beam of silver and its handles of red copper, and strengthen it throughout with spells of magic.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") Then go and do the task my mother requires of you.”[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") “I thank you, maiden of the twilight,” answered Ilmarinen.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he hastened to the gloomy forest and to the smithy strong and roomy, in which he had forged the magic Sampo.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Again the bellows roared, again the flames leaped up in the ample forge, again the black smoke poured from the chimney top.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Smith, with many a magic incantation, hammered out a golden ploughshare, he shaped the handles of copper and the beam of shining silver.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") A wonderful thing it was, slender and strong and well fitted for the work it was designed to do.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") “Truly, with such a plough I shall not fail to stir up a host of hissing serpents,” said Ilmarinen; “but how shall I protect myself from their fury while I am furrowing the field?”[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") He threw both fuel and metal into his forge, and while he recited one magic rune after another he thrust his long tongs into the roaring fire.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") Presently, when the smoke subsided and the coals were white with heat, he drew forth a great mass of half-melted iron.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") This he laid upon the anvil.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") With short, quick strokes he hammered it; he turned it and twisted it; he shaped it according to his will.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") He separated it into parts, and of each part he formed something that would be of use in the great task that was before him.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") First he made a pair of iron shoes to wear upon his feet; then he forged ten long chains, slender and delicate, and these he wove together and shaped into pliant greaves to cover his legs.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") After this he wrought for himself a coat of mail, and gauntlets of iron, and strong gloves which no tooth nor sting could pierce.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he made a belt of hardest iron, sky-blue and brilliant, to be buckled round his waist.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Lastly, in its place within the furnace, he hung the magic caldron from which he had once drawn the wonderful Sampo.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") Into this caldron he threw many strange and potent things: the hoof of a reindeer, the tail of a hare, a bag of wind, a flash of lightning, a shooting star.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") With these he made a mixture such as no other wizard had ever compounded, and as he stirred it he repeated the runes, the songs of mystery that he had sung while forging the Sampo.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") All day and all night and far into another day the master Smith toiled and sang, blew his great bellows, and threw fuel into the furnace.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Then with caution he drew the caldron from the flames, he lifted the lid and looked warily inside.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") At first nothing but boiling vapor, scalding steam, shapeless white clouds could be distinguished.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") The next moment a horse sprang out, beautiful, shapely, and strong.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Its body was glittering bright like fire, its mane and tail were glowing red like the sun when it shines through the mists of the morning.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") It leaped out and stood, docile and obedient, beside the mighty wizard, the master Smith.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") “What will you have me do, my master?” it asked.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") “Draw my plough through the field of dreadful serpents,” answered Ilmarinen.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") “I am ready,” said the horse.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") Forthwith the hero harnessed the fiery steed to his plough of magic.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") He donned his coat of mail and drew on his greaves and his shoes of iron and his wonderful gloves which no weapons could pierce.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he drove with speed, out through the shadowy pine woods and across the desolate plains, till he came to the field of serpents—a barren waste lying cold and dreary under the empty sky.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") The field was full of horrid reptiles, crawling, writhing, hissing.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") They reared their heads high and looked at the hero, they licked out their tongues and threatened him.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") But he, no whit afraid, paused in the midst of them and spoke these words of warning:[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") “O ye snakes, so vile, so wise\![100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Jumala made you, and therefore you are not wholly bad.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") Put your proud heads down, quit your hideous hissing, cease your wriggling and your writhing.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") Creep away into the bushes, hide yourselves in your loathsome dwellings.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Dare not touch me, dare not threaten me, lest Jumala smite you with his swift and flashing arrows!”[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Then fearlessly he drove his steed of fire through the dreadful field, and skilfully he guided his golden plough, touching neither beam nor handles.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") On this side and on that the earth was heaped up, nor did rocks or roots stand in the way of the cleaving ploughshare.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") The serpents were lifted from their holes, they were torn in pieces, they were buried deep in the ground.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Twelve mighty furrows did the hero plough lengthwise of the field, then, turning, he made twelve other furrows across the width of it.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") No barren spot nor stony space was left unturned, no blasted shrub nor baneful vine was unuprooted.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus the haunts of the serpents were broken up, and the field of dread was made fertile and safe, a fit place for trees to grow and grass to flourish.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") The last furrow was completed, and Ilmarinen rested from his labor.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") He loosed the long reins with which he had guided his steed and lifted the plough from the ground.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") He spoke lovingly to his faithful helper:[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") “O wonderful plough-horse of fire\![114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Your task is finished and you are free.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") Go\![116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Fly away\![117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") Henceforth you may wander unrestrained in the boundless sky pastures of the North.”[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") The horse bounded away.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") It rose in the air, higher, higher, until it looked like a cloud of fire-dust floating in the sky; then it faded away and Ilmarinen saw it no more.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") But it did not remain invisible; for often, even in our own times, it may be seen during the silent winter nights leaping and prancing, shaking its fiery mane and shooting beams of golden light athwart the northern sky.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") Ilmarinen tarried not a moment.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") With long, impatient strides he hastened away from the field of victory.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") For two weary days he travelled through trackless ways and along forgotten paths where bears used to amble and wolves pursued their prey.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") For three long and painful days he toiled among bogs and fens and across the lonely, never-ending meadows.[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") On the sixth day, however, his eyes were gladdened by the sight of the shores of Pohyola and the weather-stained dwelling of the Wise Woman of the North.[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") Pale and wan and weak from hunger and long exposure, he approached the house and opened the door.[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") The Mistress was reclining upon her couch beside the hearth.[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Old Man’s Wooing](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/23/) - next →: [The Great Pike](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/25/) - ↑ back to [The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/)