LAFLESCBE] BITE OF VIGIL FREE TBANSLATIOlir. 139 



which Wa-ko°'-da abides; the red dawn, a sacred symbol of life; the 

 little pipe that bears the messages of the people to Wa-ko°'-da; the 

 shrine containing the sacred hawk, symbol of the courage of the war- 

 rior; the seven sacred animal skins; the face of the old man roughened 

 and wrinkled by time ; the aged man who in the councils sits clothed 

 in ceremonial attire, his head covered with eagle down, a sacerdotal 

 insignia; the foUr seasons of life through which all persons must 

 strive to pass; finally the calm and peaceful days to which the tribe 

 will at last arrive. 



THE Wl'-GI-E. 



(Osage version, p. 415; literal translation, p. 550.) 



1. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



2. The youngest of the brothers, 



3. Arose and stood in sUent contemplation. 



4. Verily, it was at the time when the earth sat glorified amid her 



blossoms and ripening fruit, 



5. That the young brother stood in silent contemplation. 



6. It was in the evening of the day, 



7. When he stood at one end of the house, 



8. With his head inclined to the right, 



9. He fell prone to the earth, where he lay outstretched. 



10. Night passed. The god of day struck the heavens with a pale 



light, 



11. Then the young brother arose, took that which was made 



sacred (the soil of the earth), 



12. Put it upon his brow and stood motionless. 



13. The god of day ascended to a point midway between the eastern 



horizon and the zenith; 



14. The god of day moved on to the middle of heaven; 



15. The god of day descended to a point midway between the zenith 



and the western horizon; 



16. Then, in the evening of the day, 



17. While yet the sacred soil remained upon the young brother's 



brow, 



18. He shed tears while he slowly moved 



19. To the borders of the village where, 



20. With head inclined to the right, 



21. He fell prone to the earth and lay outstretched, 



22. And Wa-ko^'-da made the eyes of the youth to close in sleep. 



23. Night passed. The god of day struck the heavens with a pale 



light, 



24. Then the young brother arose, took that which was made sacred, 



