SPEECH AT THE HAIRCUTTING- OF A YOUNG CHILD. 129 



TRANSLATION 



(1) In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate. 

 There is no God but God : Mohamad is his Prophet. 



(2) In the name of God, the first of all Names, 



And He and His Name co-existed in the beginning. 

 Be veal His attributes and declare His Names, 

 For He is eternal and we His servants from old. 



(3) Oh, all ye descendants of Adam, 

 Sprung from the eternal light of God, 

 Adam sprang from the four elements : 

 And thus is descended all creation. 



(4) child, the grace of thy father visited thy mother 

 And after 10 clays thy seed was created, 



After 80 days thy blood was made, 

 After 120 days thy flesh was fashioned. 



(5) Nine months in the womb since thy mother conceived, 

 Eoughly but not exactly that period : 



With what pain and suffering wast thou born; 

 What privations she endured. 



(6) "When nine moons had waxed and waned 

 Thou eame'st into the world: 



Then how delighted thy father and mother, 

 How strong their love for thee. 



(7) High are the hopes thy mother builds, 

 Yea, higher than the hills : 



How long she suffered for thee, 



Nine long months confined to her couch. 



(8) all ye children, return your mothers' love, 

 While still ye a re young ; 



Whilst ye slumbered pleasantly 



They sought ye sweetmeats and dainties. 



(9) And thou, child, reject not 

 Thy mother's watchful care, 



If she turned thee to the left the right thou defiled'st: 

 Yet thou knewest not of these things. 



(10) When thou wast born, 

 Unceasing was thy mother's care; 



Not a moment did she spare for sleep, 



For food she took no thought. • 



(11) By light of candle and lantern, 



How often she poulticed thee and wrapped thee in thy baby 



garments. 

 She dandled thee when awake; 

 Such love and care is not easy to requite. 



R. A. Soc, No. 76, 1917. 



