Probably the most famous stanza in the Estonian national epic, Kalevipoeg, is the last one, reproduced below. This is an invitation to you to offer your own even better translation than the ones below.
Original in Estonian:
Aga ükskord algab aega
kus kôik piirud kahel otsal
lausa lähvad lôkendama;
lausa tuleleeki lôikab
käe kaljukammitsasta;
küll siis Kalev jôuab koju
oma lastel' ônne tooma,
Eesti pôlve uueks looma.
"Exact" translation by Ago Koerv:
But someday the time will come
when all splinters at both ends
will burst fully into flames;
fire-flames will really cut
the rocky shackle from his hand;
surely then Kalev will arrive home
to bring good luck to his children
and renew the Estonian nation.
"Poetic" translation by Ago Koerv:
Someday a better age will dawn,
When flames of liberty will spawn
The rescue of Kalev from his shackle,
Letting him come home to tackle
Vital tasks to help his nation,
Free Estonia from domination.
Translation by Jüri Kurman:
But one day an age will dawn
when all spills, at both their ends,
will burst forth into flame;
and this stark fire will sever
the vise of stone from Kalevipoeg's hand.
Then the son of Kalev will come home
to bring his children happiness
and build Estonia's life anew.
Translation by Ilse Lehiste:
But once the time will begin
when all pine splinters from both ends
break out into full flame;
the open fire will cut
the hand from the rock's fetter;
forsooth Kalev will come home then
to bring happiness to his children,
to transform Estonian life.
Translation by Triinu Kartus:
But one day there comes a time,
When all spills at both their ends will
Start outright to flare up bright;
Flames of fire will cut outright
His hand from stone fetters loose –
Surely Kalev will then come home to
Bring his people fortune true,
Build Estonia anew.
