--- title: The Graybeard and His Son — The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North · full text with trees description: The Graybeard and His Son, «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: All night the Minstrel rode wildly towards the South Country, never looking behind him, never pausing to rest. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/4/) [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 Graybeard and His Son # The Graybeard and His Son The Graybeard and His Son of «The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North» by James Baldwin: the whole text, 167 sentences and 2118 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. All night the Minstrel rode wildly towards the South Country, never looking behind him, never pausing to rest.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The day was breaking when he reached the end of the mighty forest.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") There, on the slope of a barren mountain, the road divided into three paths, and at the end of each path he saw a small house with smoke rising from the chimney.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") And now his pain increased, and the blood began to pour anew from his deep wound.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Weak and weary, he turned boldly into the lowest pathway and drove his steed up to the little homestead.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hail, ho!” he cried; and a piping voice inside answered, “Hail, ho!”[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The door was open, and the Minstrel saw a little child sitting on the hearth beside the blazing fire.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hail, ho!” he cried again; and the child laughed and said, “Welcome, stranger!”[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Wainamoinen sat upright in his sledge; his wound pained him; he was in much distress.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") “Is there any one in this house that can heal the wounds of Iron?” he asked.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") “No, no,” answered the child.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") “All gone but me.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Drive away, big man\![13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Drive away to some other house.”[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel pulled the reins and turned his sledge about.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") He cracked his whip, and the steed leaped forward.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon he came into the middle pathway, and madly he drove to the second little cottage.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") He drove right up under the window and looked in.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") There he saw an old woman resting on a couch, while another woman was spinning by the fire.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") They were telling pleasant tales of their neighbors and of goblins and ghosts and unnamable things.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hail, ho!” cried the Minstrel, not too loudly.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The women jumped up in alarm; but when they saw his pale and weary face they answered, “Welcome, stranger\![22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Alight, and rest thyself by our fireside.”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Wainamoinen sat still in his sledge.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The blood was pouring in torrents from his wound.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tell me,” he said, “is there any one in this house that can stop the flow of blood, that can heal the wounds of Iron?”[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ah, no!” answered the elder of the two, and her three teeth gnashed together.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") “Naught do we know about blood or iron.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Drive away to some other house.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Speed thee, rash man!”[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Again the Minstrel pulled the reins and turned the sledge about in the narrow pathway.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Again he cracked his whip, and the steed rushed onward.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") With furious speed he drove into the upper pathway, and paused not until he reached the highest cottage.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") There he drew up before the doorway and called as before, but very feebly:[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hail, ho\![35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Hail, ho!”[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") “Welcome, stranger!” was the answer from within.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Then an old Graybeard opened the door and repeated, “Welcome, stranger!”[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") “Welcome, stranger!” echoed the Graybeard’s son, peeping over his father’s shoulder.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") “Alight and rest yourself and your steed.”[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") “First tell me,” said the Minstrel feebly, “tell me if you can stop this flow of blood and heal this wound of Iron.”[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") “Three magic words may stop the flood, three magic drops may heal the wound,” answered the Graybeard.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") And the young man added, “Come in and let us see what can be done.”[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel climbed out of his sledge slowly, painfully.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") He staggered into the house.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") He lay down upon the couch by the fireside.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The wound was bleeding sorely.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ah, save us!” cried the Graybeard.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") “What hero is this?[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Bring something to catch the flowing blood.”[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") His son ran quickly and fetched a golden goblet; but it was far too small to hold the gushing flood.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") He ran for other vessels.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Seven pails he brought, then eight, and all were filled to overflowing.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") The Graybeard shook his head; he lifted his eyes; he clinched his fists.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he spoke harshly to the crimson flood:[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hear me, O thou blood-stream\![56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Cease thy flowing.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Fill no more pails.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") Flow not upon the floor.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Stay in the veins of this hero and give him strength.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Stay in his heart and give him courage.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Hear me, O thou blood-stream!”[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Forthwith the red stream grew smaller; but still the drops trickled from the wound.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") All the strength of the Minstrel was gone.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") The Graybeard looked upward, he turned his face towards heaven.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") He spoke in tones that were soft and pleading:[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") “O thou great Creator, thou lover of heroes\![67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Come down and help us.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Stop this rushing red river.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Heal this gaping wound.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Restore to this hero the strength that is rightfully his.”[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he grasped the Minstrel’s knee just above the place where the wicked axe had struck it.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") He pressed the sides of the wound together firmly, gently.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") The bleeding ceased; and now not even the smallest drop escaped.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") The Graybeard bound soft bands of linen around the limb, he laid the Minstrel upon his own rude bed, he covered him with warm robes and bade him rest quietly.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") “The flow of blood is stanched,” he said; “we must now heal Iron’s bitter bite, we must close up the gaping, ugly wound.”[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Then turning to his son, he said, “Go now to our smithy on the mountain.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Take with you a supply of healing herbs, as I have taught you.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") Bake them, boil them, mix them, brew them into a magic ointment that will heal all manner of wounds.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") When you have finished the mixture and tested it, bring it hither to me.”[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") “That I will do, father,” answered the young man; and with a basket on his arm and a glad song rising from his lips, he hastened away.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Half-way up the mountain side he came to a gnarly old oak.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") “Friend oak, so good and strong,” he said, “have you any honey on your branches?”[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") “Look and see,” answered the oak.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yesterday I had such plenty that the bees came to carry it away.”[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") The young man gathered many handfuls of slender twigs from the tree, and saw that on each twig was a tiny drop of dew.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he wandered hither and thither among the rocks, seeking all kinds of healing herbs and putting them in his basket.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") When, at length, the basket was filled, he went on, whistling, to the little smithy on the mountain top.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon a fire was roaring in the furnace.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") A pot was filled with the herbs and twigs and set to boiling on the coals.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") The pungent odor of the mixture pervaded the air; every corner of the smithy was lit up with the glare of the flames; the smoke rolled in clouds from the smoke hole in the roof.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") For three sunny days and three lonely nights the youth stood over the furnace and stirred the magic mixture.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") He threw fuel upon the flames, he poured fresh spring water into the seething pot.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") And all the while he sang weird songs and muttered strange charms such as his father had taught him.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") Then for nine nights he caught the moonbeams and mingled them with the mixture; and for nine days he entrapped the sunlight and added it to the magic ointment.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") On the tenth day he looked into the pot and saw that all was of a rich golden color, bright and sparkling, with pretty rainbows mingled here and there in many a curious pattern.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") “It is done,” he said.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") “I will test its power.”[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") He lifted the pot from the fire and allowed the mixture to cool, still singing his songs of magic.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he went out to find something that had been wounded and might be healed.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Half-way down the mountain side there was a giant pine tree which the lightning had split from crown to roots.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") Its two halves gaped wide apart; its torn and broken branches hung dangling in the wind.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ah! here is a case to test,” said the young man.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, with the greatest care, he took a small portion of the ointment upon his finger; he smeared it gently upon the trunk and branches of the wounded pine; he sang softly a little song of magic:[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") “Make it whole and make it strong, Heal it all its length along; Join part to part, restore its heart, And make it straight as hunter’s dart.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus your magic power show, And let all men your virtue know.”[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") As he spoke the last words he clapped his hands together and shouted; and lo! the parts of the pine tree came suddenly into their right places, and it stood there as whole and as beautiful as it had been before the lightning smote it.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") “Good!” cried the young man.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") “The ointment is as it should be.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") None could be better.”[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, with the pot balanced carefully on his shoulder, he started homeward.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") Every now and then, as he went down the slope, he paused to try the healing mixture on splintered rocks and broken bowlders; and he smiled as he saw the rough stones knit themselves together and the gaping fissures close up and disappear.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") When at length he approached his father’s cottage he heard loud groans within—groans of some one suffering deadly pain.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") He listened and knew that they came from the wounded Minstrel; he knew that now there was great need of his magic ointment.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") The Graybeard met him at the door.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") “What news, my son?”[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") “Good news, my father,” he answered.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") “Never was there better salve than this.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") I could fuse the hills together with it if I had the mind to try.”[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") The father took the pot and carried it into the house.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") He dipped his finger gently into the ointment; he touched it to the tip of his tongue.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") “The mixture seems perfect,” he said.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now we shall see wonders.”[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel was lying upon the bed and groaning at every breath.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") True, the bleeding had ceased, but the fever of Iron was upon him.[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") He knew not where he was.[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") He had forgotten his family, his home, and his sweet country.[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") The madness of Iron had clouded his mind.[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") The Graybeard smeared a little of the ointment on the Minstrel’s wounded knee; he stroked the poor man’s back, his hands, his head.[129](129/ "tree and pragmatics") He waved his palms slowly to and fro before his eyes.[130](130/ "tree and pragmatics") And all the while he softly muttered a little song of wisdom and power.[131](131/ "tree and pragmatics") The groans of the wounded man waxed louder and louder.[132](132/ "tree and pragmatics") He turned this way and that, seeking ease; but at each moment the pain grew greater, and he writhed in anguish.[133](133/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Graybeard raised his voice and angrily commanded the pain to depart.[134](134/ "tree and pragmatics") “Hear me, pitiless pain!” he cried.[135](135/ "tree and pragmatics") “Go away from this house\![136](136/ "tree and pragmatics") Depart\![137](137/ "tree and pragmatics") Vanish\![138](138/ "tree and pragmatics") Leave this worthy stranger and betake yourself to your own place.[139](139/ "tree and pragmatics") Hide yourself in the Hill of Tortures.[140](140/ "tree and pragmatics") There, if you choose, you may fill the stones with anguish; you may rend the rocks with torment.[141](141/ "tree and pragmatics") But now let this hero rest in peace.[142](142/ "tree and pragmatics") Depart\![143](143/ "tree and pragmatics") Depart\![144](144/ "tree and pragmatics") Depart!”[145](145/ "tree and pragmatics") As he uttered the last word the pain vanished.[146](146/ "tree and pragmatics") The Minstrel’s mind grew clear; he felt his strength returning; he laughed right joyfully and rose from his bed.[147](147/ "tree and pragmatics") The wound was healed, the ugly gash had disappeared, every trace of pain had vanished from his body.[148](148/ "tree and pragmatics") “I never felt so well in my life!” he shouted as he danced about the room.[149](149/ "tree and pragmatics") Then remembering himself, he threw his arms around the Graybeard’s neck and thanked him for his exceeding kindness.[150](150/ "tree and pragmatics") “No thanks are due to me,” said the old man, leading him to a seat by the fireside.[151](151/ "tree and pragmatics") “I have done nothing myself; Jumala did it all.[152](152/ "tree and pragmatics") Give praises to Jumala, the great Creator, from whom all good things come.”[153](153/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon the Minstrel raised his hands towards heaven, and cried, “To thee, O Jumala, the gracious, I humbly offer thanks.[154](154/ "tree and pragmatics") To thee I owe my life, my strength, my all—accept my gratitude.”[155](155/ "tree and pragmatics") “Jumala only is good,” said the Graybeard.[156](156/ "tree and pragmatics") “He only is merciful and kind.[157](157/ "tree and pragmatics") But what shall we say of Iron—of Iron, the spiteful, the treacherous, the wicked?[158](158/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me, my friend, why should Iron bear a grudge against you?[159](159/ "tree and pragmatics") Why should he seek to destroy your life?”[160](160/ "tree and pragmatics") Wainamoinen, first of minstrels, answered, “Iron has no grudge against me.[161](161/ "tree and pragmatics") He wounded me, it is true, but not purposely.[162](162/ "tree and pragmatics") Had it not been for a wicked hornet, Iron would never have harmed me—would never have harmed any one.[163](163/ "tree and pragmatics") Blame not Iron.[164](164/ "tree and pragmatics") Blame the hornet that made him what he is.”[165](165/ "tree and pragmatics") “Pray tell me how that can be,” said the Graybeard.[166](166/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, sitting by the pleasant fireside, the Minstrel answered him by telling a story—a story as old as the race of man on earth.[167](167/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Maid of Beauty](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/3/) - next →: [The Wicked Hornet](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/5/) - ↑ back to [The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/)