[467.] From the sarcastic tone of this speech, Ilmarinen seems to have been quite tired and disgusted with all the fuss, in which most of our readers will probably sympathize with him.
RUNO XXV
[47.] According to popular usage, a son is ennobled by being called a brother.
[97.] In some of the legends of Sigurd and Brynhilda, Brynhilda is represented as lying asleep in a tower of glass, encompassed by a circle of fire, through which Sigurd had to ride to wake her. In this story she is the prototype of the Sleeping Beauty.
[157.] We often read in Russian folk-tales of revolving huts supported on fowls' legs.
[159.] The favourite weapon of the Icelander Skarphedin, the son of Njal, was a bell which rang out shortly before any person was to be killed by it.
[169.] In the dales of Yorkshire it used to be considered very inhospitable not to leave the door open at mealtimes.
[289, 290.] Saxony and Viro are Germany and Esthonia.
[564.] Apparently a sort of master of the ceremonies at Finnish weddings, corresponding to the Russian svat, or matchmaker.