SPEECH AT THE HAIECUTTING OF A YOUNG CHILD. 131 



(12) Night and day at times all uncertain, 

 Ere daylight she rose and dandled thee, 

 Up to watch thee in dark of night 



Not once could pillow her weary head. 



(13) Love too thy father, child of birth so gentle, 

 Who cared for thee through every travail; 

 Protected thee from wind and rain, 



Lest convulsions should attack thee. 



(14) If thy mother has servants at hand, 

 Then no insects can harm thee, 

 Thy bed-curtains are ever closed, 

 Candles and lanterns always alight. 



(15) And if thy mother is in debt, 

 With but one garment to her back, 



And this when wet must dry as she wears it, 



Yet ever does she care for thee and never leaves thy side. 



(16) Love thou thy father, gentle child, 

 Take care not to disregard his word; 

 When father and mother are united by God, 

 Then is thine a perfect lot. 



(17) If thy mother is of rich parentage, 

 Her slaves and servants all attend thee, 

 And she saves for thee her utmost farthing, 

 Though thou can'st not understand this. 



(18) And when thou can'st count, 



Thou must to school morning and noon, 

 W T ith thy teacher to study the Koran, 

 Morning and evening without interruption. 



(19) And when thou canst read the Holy Book, 

 How glad will be thy parents; 



E'en now they save a share of their earnings, 

 To send thee on the pilgrimage. 



(20) Thou wilt go to the Blessed Land, 

 To cleanse all that is unclean : 



The Shaikh will order thee to read the Book, 

 Take care never to neglect it. 



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



