COUNCILS AND CEREMONIES OF ADOPTION OF NEW YORK INDIANS 359 



4 To your hearing; easily then, it may be, 

 You will hear the words to be said. 

 And also we think there is a stoppage 



In your throat. Now therefore, we also say, 



5 We remove the obstruction, so that freely 

 You may speak in our mutual greetings. 

 Now another thing, my children. I say this 



Of the solemn event which has happened. Every day 



6 You are losing your great men. Into the earth 

 They are borne ; also the warriors ; 



Also your women, and your grandchildren as well ; 

 So that in the midst of blood 



7 You are sitting. Now therefore, we say, 

 We wash the blood stains from your seat, 

 So that it may be for a time 



That happily the place may be clean 

 For a few days, where pleasantly 

 You rest and are looking all around. 



Six tunes of the hymn 



1 The League I come again to greet and thank ; 



2 The kindred I come again to greet and thank; 



3 The warriors I come again to greet and thank ; 



4 The women I come again to greet and thank ; 



5 My forefathers, — what they established, — 



6 My forefathers, — hearken to them. 



The last verse is sung yet again, while he walks to and 

 fro in the house, and says : 



1 Hail, my grandsires ! Now hearken 

 While we weep and cry to you ! 

 Because that has grown old 



Which you established, the Great League. 

 We hope that they may hear. 



2 Hail, my grandsires ! Thus ye have said : 

 Those are to be pitied who in later days 

 Shall pass through this life. 



3 Hail, my grandsires ! Even now 



I may fail in going through the ceremony 

 As thev were wont to do. 



