562 IROQUOIAN COSMOLOGY [eth. ann.43 



thank thee repeatedly that it was still possible for so many persons 

 again to see what kind of thing is the Lamentation Ceremony,^' 

 which thou hast ordained for us. So then we beseech thee that this 

 body of persons should continue thus undiminished, so that all of us 

 should again see it when the season will again change and it will again 

 become warm on the earth. We beseech thee that thou shouldst 

 send thence the game animals of all sizes, some whose bodies are 

 small and also some whose bodies are large. Now, another thing; 

 they again beseech thee that they should see grow again anew and 

 naturally the provision which thou hast provided for us, and that that 

 should mature and ripen on which we live, and also that by which 

 our children live. Now, again, another thing; now, again, we 

 beseech thee in reference to all those things that grow and that bear 

 fruit, the various kinds which thou hast planted for us, for thy 

 father's clansmen ask thee that they all should again see them grow 

 and see them when again all come to maturity. Now, again, another 

 thing; thy father's clansmen beseech thee that stdl again thou 

 shouldst send thence the persons of those whose lives are small, 

 infants, that they should stand consecutively on the earth here 

 present, so that the pui'pose of thy mind should be fidfilled, in that 

 thou didst intend that it should continue to be thus that persons 

 should continue to be born anew; and so then that is what one con- 

 tinues to beseech thee for that one should see it thus come to pass. 

 Now, then, to thee who dwellest in the sky one has committed the 

 whole matter. Now, again, another thing; now with one voice all 

 the persons that still are, the children to the last one, who still remain 

 upon the earth, then beseech thee that still unchanged this assembly 

 should again see that period wherein the ceremony is marked, and 

 the time will also arrive wherein thou hast placed the ceremony, the 

 matters thou hast placed before us. So then they make their word 

 of the native tobacco which thou hast left to us. Now, again, 

 another thing; so then with a single voice all those who still remain 

 upon the earth shall turn their faces thither. So then all the various 

 orders of you who have administrative duties to perform, duties 

 appointed you by the former of our bodies, do you continue to listen. 

 So then that is the first thing; to thee. Our Mother, whereon we 

 stand, this earth here present, we give thanks; next to this we encour- 

 age thee, so that thy mind should be firm, that thus it should continue 

 to be, so that we should continue to think in peace day after day 

 and also night after night. 



"Now, then, again, another thing; now do thou, our Elder Brother, 

 the diurnal Light Orb (the Sun) going about on the visible sky, thence 

 continue to listen. Now, then, thou wilt continue to know that all 

 those whose persons remain alive have made rulable preparations to 



See note on p. 610. 



