However, for them Bearslayer is not dead, but
sleeps beneath the island in a golden bed.
Even today, sometimes at midnight boatmen on the Daugava see two
shadowy figures locked in struggle on the cliffs above the river,
while in the ruins of the old castle of Lielvarde a little flame
burns. The figures struggling on the cliff top are Bearslayer and
the Black Knight, and the flame in the castle is Laimdota. Each
time they fight the two warriors plunge together into the
river. There is a terrible scream in the castle, and the flame goes
out.
However, the day will come when Bearslayer will defeat the Black
Knight and cast him down alone into the river to drown. On that day,
the Latvians will be free!
BEARSLAYER
CANTO I
THE REVELATION OF BEARSLAYER
Scene 1: The Council of the Baltic gods
The gods gather
In azure vaults of heaven soaring bright,
In lofty castles filled with endless joy,
The God of Thunder, Perkons, dwells in light,
And pleasure knows whose sweetness cannot cloy.
The Baltic gods in council gathered there,
Of Destiny's Father tidings to debate.
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