A DEER-DRIVE. 55 



the only one of this collection that is so. As is 

 always the case in Malay verses, the first two lines 

 mean little, and are only there to rhyme with the 

 last two. In such manner does the artless Malay 

 evade a difficulty that poets of more civilised 

 countries struggle to surmount. 



" Sirm unta pining unta 

 Marl tanam tepi blukar 

 Hantu buta mal&ng buta 

 Jerat aku katakan akar." 



The lines may be thus translated : 



Betel leaf, Camel, Betel nut, Camel. 

 Come, let us plant at the edge of the young forest. 

 Evil spirit be blind ! Evil influence be blind ! 

 Say that my nooses are but forest creepers ! 



The pawang then ties the rope round the tree, and 

 leaves the indefinite to address the jinggi, bahdi, and 

 genaling, who are more particularly interested in the 

 work that is toward. 



" evil spirits ! 



Down with your powers, may my power defeat them ! 

 Down with your charms, may my charms defeat them ! 



One hundred and ninety charms ! 



Move ye from hence ! 



Go to birdless forests, 



To fishless seas, 



To rockless mountains, 



To grassless plains ! 



Go in the name of Allah." 



The pawang now opens the first three nooses of the 



