The Hart and the Making of the World

A Christmas Carol. Slowly, slowly, O Lord, The little river Olt Has grown big, So big That the borders cannot be seen. But what is coming Down the Olt? Tall…

A Christmas Carol.

Slowly, slowly, O Lord, The little river Olt Has grown big, So big That the borders cannot be seen. But what is coming Down the Olt? Tall pines And dry fir trees. Among the pines, Among the fir trees, A three-year-old stag Is swimming. The stag swims, And lifts up its horns. On the top of his horns A cradle is hanging and swinging, A green cradle made of silk, Woven in six strands. But who sits in the cradle? The maiden, the young girl, With her tresses hanging down the back, Shining Like the holy sun. She sits and sews, And embroiders A collar for her father, A kerchief for her brother. But she stops and does not sew, Nor does her mouth keep quiet, For she is singing: "Slowly, slowly, Old stag, Slowly, slowly be thou swimming. Do not hinder my work. And the waves are rising; They might wash me off and carry me off thy horns. Slowly, slowly, Dear old stag, For I have three brothers at court, Where they learn many things. All the three are noted hunters, And good falconers. They will discover thee, And run after me. With their falcons they will pursue thee. With their dogs they will worry thee. With their lances they will prick thee. Slowly, slowly, Dear old stag-- For if my brothers find thee, They will make my wedding feast With thy poor flesh. With thy bones They will build My little house. With thy skin They will cover My little home. With thy blood They will paint My little courts. And with thy head They will celebrate The holy feast. They will place it Over the gate, At the entrance of the little garden. Of thy hoofs They will make Crystal cups, Out of which Nobles drink. On rare occasions-- On Christmas day and Epiphany-- When the whole world rejoices, I drink to the health of these houses For many years.

The mythical stag carrying on his horns a girl who is like the sun is similar to the bull of Mithras and to the bull in the Avesta, out of which the world was created. The stag provides here all the elements for the building of a house and for the merriment of the nobles. Each part of its body is accounted for.