162 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA 



Waiting fireless by the Rohees, 

 Fortliwitli packed they up their 



wardrobes, 

 On their heads they took their 



beds up, 

 Back to Lingo gave his arrow — 

 Arrow of the truthful omen — 

 Saying good-bye to their parent, 

 Followed Lingo to the forest. 

 To that forest-shade primeval. 

 Eeached those young men by the 



Rohees, 

 Made a fire, and had some luncheon 

 Of the livers of the Rohees. 

 Then the brothers 'gan to 



squabble 

 O'er those seven nice young 



women. 

 Holy Lingo, virtuous very, 

 Quite refusing to be wedded. 

 Somewhat easier made the pro- 

 blem; 

 And he soon arranged it this 



wise — 

 That the eldest of the brethren 

 Each should take two nice young 



women, 

 While the very young Ahkeseral 

 Should be fitted with the odd 



one. 

 Then returning from the forest, 

 By the vaUey Kachikopd, 

 To the Red Hills, Lahugada, 

 Holy Lingo joined the Brothers 

 To those seven nice young women. 

 To the daughters of the Giant. 

 Water brought and poured it o'er 



them, 

 Bowers of branches raised around 



them. 

 Garlands gay he threw about 



them, 

 Mark of Turmeric applied he — 

 And declared them duly wedded. 

 Then the Brothers mighty 



pleased were 

 With their good and virtuous 



Lingo; 

 Said they'd go forth to the forest, 



Go and smite the bounding red- 

 deer, 

 Bring its liver to their Lingo, 

 Gather wild flowers for their Lingo, 

 While those Sisters seven should 



swing him, 

 Swing him gently as he slumbered. 

 Then their bows and arrows took 



they. 

 Took and started to the forest. 

 And the sisters swinging Lingo 

 Thus began to say among them — 

 " See this Lingo ! who so solemn 

 As this brother of our husbands ? 

 JN'either laughs he, neither speaks 



he. 

 Neither looks he even at us. 

 He must laugh, and speak, and 



gambol. 

 Must this very solemn Lingo ; 

 Let us pinch and pull and hug 



him." 

 And they puUed him by the arms. 

 Pulled his feet and pinched his 



arms; 

 But the more they pulled and 



pinched him 

 All the sounder slept our Lingo. 

 Till the sisters, vexed to find him 

 Nothing caring for their toying. 

 Took to hugging rather closely, 

 Hugged that very virtuous Lingo, 

 Till they woke him from his 



sleeping. 

 Wrathful then was holy Lingo, 

 At those wanton Giant's daughters 

 Rose the flame of indignation 

 From his boots up to his top- 

 knot; 

 Looked about him for a weapon, 

 For a weapon to chastise them ; 

 Saw a pestle hard and heavy. 

 Pestle made for husking rice with ; 

 Bounded from his swing and 



seized it. 

 With it thrashed those Giant's 



daughters ; 

 Thrashed them till they bellowed 

 loudly. 



