38 AFOOT THROUGH THE 



and wandering, predatory habits remain the same, and 

 form a brotherhood with all that is free and untamed, 

 and greedy of fresh air and open skies throughout the 

 world. Throwing down the bundle she was carrying, 

 one of the women asked if I would like a song. She 

 beckoned to a small boy who was following, and he 

 squatted down, resting between his knees a tiny drum, 

 on which he beat lightly to keep time, the two women 

 singing in recitative alternately some words of which 

 this is a rough translation. The distant sounds of 

 tom-toming and singing the ordinary accompaniment 

 in the East of wedding festivities evidently inspired 

 the subject, 



MARRIAGE SONG. 



Bridegroom. 

 I give you my house and my lands all golden with labour, 



My sword, my shield, and my jewels the spoils of my strife. 

 My strength and my dreams, and all I have gathered of glory, 



And now, this hour I give you my life. 



Bride. 

 I may not raise my eyes, oh, my lord, toward you, 



And I may not speak : what matter my voice would fail, 

 But through my downcast lashes, seeing you there 



I fear and tremble with pleasure beneath my veil. 



Younger Sisters. 



We throw sweet perfume upon her head, 

 And delicate flowers round her bed ; 

 Ah, would that it were our turn to wed ! 



Dancing Girls. 

 Sec his strength like a tower, 



See his teeth that are white, 

 Whiter than whitest mogra flower ! 



Finest, fairest, first in the fight ! 



