58 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Funeral addresses 



io8 At the funeral of a Lord of the Confederacy, say : " Now 

 we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a Lord 

 of the Five Nations' Confederacy and the United People trusted 

 you. Now we release you for it is true that it is no longer possible 

 for us to walk about together on the earth. Now, therefore, we 

 lay it (the body) here. Here we lay it. away. Now then we say 

 to you, ' Persevere onward to the place where the Creator dwells 

 in peace. Let not the things of the earth hinder you. Let nothing 

 that transpired while yet you lived hinder you. In hunting you once 

 took delight ; in the game of Lacrosse you once took delight and in 

 the feasts and pleasant occasions your mind was amused, but now 

 do not allow thoughts of these things to give you trouble. Let not 

 your relatives hinder you and also let not your friends and asso- 

 ciates trouble your mind. Regard none of these things.' 



" Now then, in turn, you here present who were related to this 

 man and you who were his friends and associates, behold the path 

 that is yours also ! Soon we ourselves will be left in that place. 

 For this reason hold yourselves in restraint as you go from place to 

 place. In your actions and in your conversation do no idle thing. 

 Speak not idle talk neither gossip. Be careful of this and speak 

 not and do not give way to evil behavior. One year is the time 

 that you must abstain from unseemly levity but if you can not do 

 this for ceremony, ten days is the time to regard these things for 

 respect." 



109 At the funeral of a War Chief, say : 



" Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once 

 a war chief of the Five Nations' Confederacy and the United 

 People trusted you as their guard from the enemy. (The remainder 

 is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord). (XXVII-iio, 

 EUC). 



no At the funeral of a Warrior say: 



" Now we become reconciled as you start away. Once you were 

 a devoted provider and protector of your family and you were ever 

 ready to take part in battles for the Five Nations' Confederacy. 

 The United People trusted you. (The remainder is the same as 

 the address at the funeral of a Lord). (XXVIII-iii, EUC). 



Ill At the funeral of a young man, say: 



" Now we become reconciled as you start away. In the beginning 

 of your career you are taken away and the flower of your life is 

 withered away. (The remainder is the same as the address at the 

 funeral of a Lord). (XXIX-112, EUC). 



