cfSHisGl THE UNTAILING OF MEN. 417 



When lastly the people 



Were raufiferl in processiou 

 And their tails were razed sharply, 



There were many who tried 

 (Little heeding the foremost 



Who recked now, no longer 

 The pain they had suffered), 



And these, in their folly, 

 Shriukiuj; farther and tiirther 



Fled away, in their terror. 

 Crazed, and chattering loudly, 



Climbing trees and high places, 

 And bereft of their senses 



Wandered far (seeking safety. 

 Sleeping ever in tree-tops) 



To the south Summer-country. 

 Seen again by far walkers — 



"Long of tail and long handed 

 Like wizened man-children, 



Wild, and noisy of mouthing, 

 Their kind still abide there, 



Eating raw things like creatures — " 

 Say the words of the ancients. 



" Thus wise fared it ever 

 With those who feared greatly 



The words of the fathers, 

 Yet feared not their warnings!" 



Say the words of the ancients. 



Thereafter more and more goodly of favor became the people, for 

 they dwelt long in Hilu'hlipiijk'ya, where, lo! that this might be so, 

 their useless parts had in sacred theft been stolen, as it were, from 

 them, and they gained great strength, and in the fulness thereof they 

 sought more often than ever to war with all strangers (whereby they 

 became still more changed in spirit), the which the Two Beloved 

 watched amain, nor said they aught! 



But there came a day when the people grew vain and waxed inso- 

 lent, sayiug, "Look now, we are perfect of parts and surely have 

 attained to the Middle place or unto one equal thereunto. Go to, let 

 us build greatly and lay up store, nor wearily wander again even 

 though the earth tremble and the Twain bid us forth. Think ye we 

 shall not be strong and defy even the Fearful!" cried the Men of the 

 Knife, the stout warriors of the Twain. But what of all that? Thisl 

 Even whilst they were wont to speak in this brave fashion the moun- 

 tains trembled often, and although afar sounding, much did it abate 

 these boastings! 



THE ORIGIN OF THE TWIN GODS OF WAR AND OF THE PRIEST- 

 HOOD OF THE BOW. 



Well aware of this temper of the people, changed also in spirit 

 became the Twain Beloved. "Verily a time hath come," said they, 

 " and this is the time." Forthwith they called the fathers to council 



13 ETH 27 



