--- title: The Wicked Hornet — The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North · full text with trees description: The Wicked Hornet, «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: This is the tale [D] which Wainamoinen, old and truthful, told to the listening Graybeard while the fire blazed and crackled on the h --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/5/) [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 Wicked Hornet # The Wicked Hornet The Wicked Hornet of «The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North» by James Baldwin: the whole text, 130 sentences and 2214 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. This is the tale \[D\] which Wainamoinen, old and truthful, told to the listening Graybeard while the fire blazed and crackled on the hearth between them.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") It is a tale which he himself had learned from the minstrels of a former age.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") The first of all mothers was Air, and she had three daughters.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Of these three maidens there is much to be said.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") They were as lovely as the rainbow after a storm; they were as fair as the full moon shining above the mountains.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") They walked with noiseless feet among the clouds and showered gifts upon the earth.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") They sent the refreshing rain, the silent dew, and the nipping frost, each in its season.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") They gave life to the fields, and strength to the mountains, and grandeur to the sea.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") And because of their bounty the earth was glad and the stars twinkled for joy.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") “What more can we do to make the land fit for men to dwell in?” asked the eldest of the sisters.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") And the youngest said, “Let us send down iron—iron of which tools may be made, iron of which sharp weapons may be shaped.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") For without tools man will not be able to plough, to reap, or to build; and without weapons he cannot defend himself against the savage beasts of the forest.”[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") So, when the sun was about going down, the sisters went forth in trailing robes of purple and crimson and gold; and in their hands they bore mighty vessels of foaming milk.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The eldest sprinkled red milk in the brooks and marshes and along the banks of the rivers.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The middle one scattered white milk on the wooded hills and the stony mountains.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The youngest showered blue milk in the valleys and by the gray seashore.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") And on the morrow, where the red milk had been sprinkled, red and brittle ore of iron flecked the ground; where the white milk had been scattered, powdery ore of a yellow hue abounded; and where the blue milk had been showered, flaky masses of crude iron, tough and dark, lay hidden beneath the soil.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus came Iron into the world—Iron, the youngest of three brothers.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Next older than he was Fire, a raging, dangerous fellow when free, but loving and faithful when held in bonds.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Older still was Water, terrible in strength but, when not aroused, as gentle as a mother’s caress.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Years upon years went by, and at length one day Iron set out to visit his brothers.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") He found Water at home in the deep sea, and by him he was welcomed kindly enough.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") But when he climbed a mountain to see his second brother he had quite another reception.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Fire was in a raging mood.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The terrible fellow leaped and roared, and stretched out his long red fingers as though he would devour his visitor.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Iron was so terrified that he turned and fled down the steep slopes, never stopping nor pausing to look behind.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") He ran on, hiding in clefts and chasms, creeping under rocks, and lurking in the dry beds of mountain torrents.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") When, by and by, he reached the level plain, he glanced backward.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") The hills and the whole mountain top were aflame.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Wild with terror, he hurried on, hiding himself in the woods and under the roots of trees, and resting at last in reedy marshes where swans build their nests and wild geese rear their young.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") For ages and ages—nobody knows how many—Iron lay hidden in bogs and forests and lonely caverns.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Fear of his raging brother made him lurk in lonely places, made him cover up his face.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Lazy bears went ambling through the rocky places; wolves rushed madly over the oozy marshlands; and timid deer ran and leaped among the trees.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") In time the hiding-places of Iron were uncovered.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Where the paws of bears had plodded often, where the feet of wolves had pattered, where the sharp hoofs of deer had trodden, there the timid metal, red, gray, yellow, black, peeped shyly out.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") At length, into that same land there came a skilful Smith.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") He carried a hammer of stone in one hand and tongs of bronze in the other; and a song of peace was upon his lips.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") On a green hillock, where the south wind blew, he built him a smithy, and in it he placed the tools of his craft.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") His anvil was a block of gray granite; his forge was carefully builded of sand and clay; his bellows was made of the skins of mountain goats sewn together.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The Smith heaped live coals in his forge and blew with his bellows until the flames leaped up, roaring and sparkling, and the smoke rose in dense clouds over the roof of the smithy.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") “This forge will do its work well,” he said.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he checked the bellows and smothered the flames and raked ashes upon the fire until the red coals slumbered unseen at the mouth of the forge.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Out into the forest the Smith wandered.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Closely he scanned the hillsides and the boggy thickets and the paths among the trees.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") And there, where the bears had trailed and the wolves had rushed and the deer had left their footprints, he found ruddy Iron, dusky Iron, yellow ore of Iron peeping, trembling, hiding.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") The heart of the Smith was glad.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") His eyes danced merrily, and he sang a song of magic to the timid metal:[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") “Iron, Iron, hearken while I call you\![48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Let no false and foolish fears appall you, Come from out the crevices that hide you, Leave the worthless stones that are beside you, Leave the earth that lies around, above you, And come with me, for I do dearly love you.”[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Iron moved not, but timidly answered, “I dare not leave my hiding-places; for Fire, my brother, waits to devour me.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") He is strong and fierce.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") He has no pity.”[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") The Smith shook his head and made reply, still singing:[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") “No! your brother does not wish to harm you,— Willingly he never would alarm you.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") With his glowing arms he would caress you, Make you pure and with his kisses bless you.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") So come with me, my smithy waits to greet you; In my forge your brother waits to meet you— Waits to throw his loving arms around you, Glad indeed that thus, at last, he’s found you.”[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") These words made Iron feel much braver; and they were spoken in tones so sweet and persuasive that he was almost minded to obey without another word.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") But he asked, “Why should I leave these places where I have rested so long?[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") What will become of me after I have made friends with Fire?”[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") The Smith answered:[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") “Come with me, for kindly we will treat you.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") On my anvil gently will I beat you; With my tongs, then, deftly will I hold you; With my hammer I will shape and mould you Into forms so fair that all will prize you, Forms so rare that none will e’er despise you: Axes, knives (so men will wish to use you) Needles, pins (so women too, will choose you).[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Come with me, your brother will not harm you, Come with me, my smithy sure will charm you.”[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Hearing this, Iron came out of his lurking-places and without more ado, bashfully followed the cunning Smith.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") But no sooner was he in the smithy than he felt himself a prisoner.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") The tongs of bronze gripped him and thrust him into the forge.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") The bellows roared, the Smith shouted, and Fire leaped joyfully out of the ashes and threw his arms around his helpless younger brother.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") And bashful, bashful Iron turned first red and then white, and finally became as soft as dough and as radiant as the sun.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the tongs of bronze drew him forth from the flames, and twirled him in the air, and threw him upon the anvil; and the hammer of stone beat him fiercely again and again until he shrieked with pain.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") “Oh, spare me! spare me!” he cried.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") “Do not deal so roughly with me.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Let me go back to my lonely hiding-places and lie there in peace as in the days of old.”[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") But the tongs pinched him worse than before, and the hammer beat him still harder, and the Smith answered: “Not so, not so\![73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") Be not so cowardly.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") We do not hurt you; you are only frightened.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") Be brave and I will shape you into things of great use to men.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Be brave and you shall rule the world.”[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, in spite of Iron’s piteous cries, he kept on pounding and twisting and turning and shaping the helpless metal until at length it was changed into many forms of use and beauty—rings, chains, axes, knives, cups, and curious tools.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") But it was so soft, after being thus heated and beaten, that the edges of the tools were quickly dulled.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") Try as he might, the Smith did not know how to give the metal a harder temper.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") One day a honeybee strolled that way.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") It buzzed around the smithy and then lit on a clover blossom by the door.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") “O bee,” cried the busy Smith, “you are a cunning little bird, and you know some things better than I know them.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") Come now and help me temper this soft metal.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") Bring me a drop of your honey; bring the sweet liquor which you suck from the meadow flower; bring the magic dew of the wildwood.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Give me all such things that I may make a mixture to harden Iron.”[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") The bee answered not—it was too busy with its own affairs.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") It gathered what honey it could from the blossom, and then flew swiftly away.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Under the eaves above the smithy door an idler was sitting—a mischief-making hornet who heard every word that the Smith said.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") “I will help him make a mixture,” this wicked insect muttered.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") “I will help him to give Iron another temper.”[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Forthwith he flew to the thorny thickets and the miry bogs and the fever-breeding marshes, to gather what evils he might.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon he returned with an armload—the poison of spiders, the venom of serpents, the miasmata of swamps, the juice of the deadly nightshade.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") All these he cast into the tub of water wherein the Smith was vainly trying to temper Iron.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") The Smith did not see him, but he heard him buzzing, and supposed it was the honeybee with sweets from the meadow flowers.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") “Thank you, pretty little bird,” he said.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now I hope we shall have a better metal.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") I hope we shall make edges that will cut and not be dulled so easily.”[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon he drew a bar of the metal, white-hot, from the forge.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") He held it, hissing and screeching, under the water into which the poisons had been poured.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Little thought he of the evil that was there.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") He heard the hornet humming and laughing under the eaves.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") “Tiny honeybee,” he said, “you have brought me much sweetness.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Iron tempered with your honey will be sweet although sharp.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Nothing shall be wrought of it that is not beautiful and helpful and kind.”[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") He drew the metal from the tub.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") He thrust it back among the red coals.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") He plied the bellows and the flames leaped up.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, when the metal was glowing again, he laid it on the anvil and beat it with strong, swift strokes; and as he worked he sang:[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ding\![110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") Ding\![111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") Ding-a-ling, ding\![112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") Of Iron, sharp Iron, strong Iron, I sing, Of Iron, my servant, of Iron, my king— Ding\![113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") Ding-a-ling, ding!”[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Forthwith, Iron leaped up, angry and biting and fierce.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") He was not a soft and ductile metal as before, but Iron hardened into tough blue steel.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Showers of sparks flew from him, snapping, burning, threatening; and from among them sprang swords and spears and battle-axes, and daggers keen and pointed.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") Out of the smithy and out through the great world these cruel weapons raced, slashing and clashing, thrusting and cutting, raging and killing, and carrying madness among men.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") The wicked hornet, idling under the eaves, rejoiced at the mischief he had wrought.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Smith was filled with grief, and the music of his anvil became a jangling discord.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") “O Iron,” he cried, “it was not for this that I caused you to leave your hiding-places in the hills and bogs\![121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") The three sisters intended that you should be a blessing to mankind; but now I greatly fear that you will become a curse.”[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") At that moment the honeybee, laden with the sweets of field and wood, came buzzing into the smithy.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") It whispered hopefully into the ear of the Smith: “Wait until my gifts have done their work.”[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") Here the Minstrel paused.[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") “Is that all?” asked the Graybeard.[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, it is all,” was the answer; “for now I can think of nothing but my dear home land.[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") My sweet country calls me, and I must hasten on my journey.[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") So, let my sledge be made ready and the steed harnessed before it, and I will bid you good-bye.”[129](129/ "tree and pragmatics") “In the morning you may go,” said the Graybeard.[130](130/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Graybeard and His Son](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/4/) - next →: [The Tree of Magic](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/6/) - ↑ back to [The Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old North](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66819/)