The Brides of Midsummer. Vilhelm Moberg

      

The Brides of Midsummer

      The Brides of Midsummer

      VILHELM MOBERG

      Translated from the Swedish by

      GUDRUN BRUNOT

      Originally published as Brudarnas Källa, Legend om de bofasta,

      ©1974 by Albert Bonniers Forlag, Stockholm. Translation

      ©2013 by Gudrun Brunot. New material ©2014 by the Minnesota Historical Society.

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The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence for Printed Library Materials,

      ANSI Z39.48–1984.

      International Standard Book Number

      ISBN: 978–0–87351–920–5 (paper)

      ISBN: 978–0–87351–935–9 (e-book)

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Moberg, Vilhelm, 1898–1973.

      [Brudarnas källa. English]

      The brides of midsummer / Vilhelm Moberg; Translated from the Swedish by Gudrun Brunot.

      pages cm.

      “Originally published as Brudarnas Kalla, Legend om de bofasta, 1974 by Albert Bonniers.”

      ISBN 978-0-87351-920-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) —

      ISBN 978-0-87351-935-9 (ebook)

      I. Brunot, Gudrun. II. Title.

      PT9875.M5B713 2014

      839.73’72—dc23

      2013038932

      This and other Minnesota Historical Society Press books are available from popular e-book vendors.

The Brides of Midsummer

      THE SPRING

      I am water. I am the beginning. I was before the oaks, the grass, and the flowers. I was before the beasts that graze the grass. I was before hovering wing and scurrying foot. I was before the birds, the bees, and the bumblebees.

      I was before sorrow and gladness. I was before the tears and the laughter. I was before the song, the music, and the dancing. I was before the torment, the suffering, and the anguish here on earth. I was before mankind.

      From earth’s darkest, innermost recesses flow my veins, known to no one. Yet, here, I surface at the foot of the hill. Here, I reflect the crowns of the oak trees and follow the generations of man throughout the world.

      I am the spring. I am the beginning.