FLETCHER] INCIDENTAL RITUALS 367 



13(il Harkeii! And wheuce. think ye, was l)orne 



Uuto these men courage t(i dare. 



Strength to endui-e hardsliip and war? 



Mark well my words, as I reveal 



How the gods help man's feebleness. 



The Leader of these warriors was a man 



Given to prayer. Oft he went forth 



Seeking a place no one conld find. 



There would he stand, and lift his voice 



Fraught with desire, that he might be 



Invincible, a bulwark "gainst all foes 



Threafning his tribe, causing them fear. 



Nighttime and day this cry sped on. 



Traveling far, seeking to reach — 

 Harken! Those places far above — 

 Harken! Within the circle vast 



Where sit the gods, watching o'er men. 



1802 Harken! This poor man's prayer went on, 



Speeding afar into the blue 



Heavens above, reached there the place — 

 Harken! Where dwell the lesser gods — 

 Harken! And great Tira'wa, mightier than all! 



1363 Harken! It was because a god 



Received this prayer, considered it. 



Favored its plea, and passed it on 



To him whose place was next, in that grand ring. 



Who. in his tui'n received the prayer. 



Considered it, and sent it on — 

 Harken! Around that circle vast — 

 Harken! Where sit the gods above. 



1364 Harken! And thus it was the prayer 



Sent by this man won the consent 



Of all the gods. For each god in his place 



Speaks oiit his thought, grants or re.iects 



Mail's suppliant cry. asking for help: 



But none can act until the Council grand 



Comes to accord, thinks as one mind. 



Has but one will, all must obey, 

 Harken! The Coirncil gave consent — 

 Harken! And great Tira'wa. mightier than all. 



1365 Harken! To make their purpose known. 



Succor and aid freely to give. 



Heralds were called, called by the Winds: 



Then in the west uprose the Cloiids 



Heavy and black, ladened with stonn. 



Slowly they climbed, dark'ning the skies: 



While close on every side the Thunders marched 



On their dread way. 'till all were come 



To where the gods in stately Council sat 



Waiting for them. Then, l)ade them go 



Back to the earth, carrying aid 



To him whose prayer had reached their circle vast. 



This mandate given, the Thunders turaed toward earth, 



Taking their course slant\\nse the sky. 



