1880.] 



BA.LOCHI LANQUAQE. 



167 



S]]alie;i kirdagdr asar-an 

 Gvvafshe nera-shatara nal-an. 



Translation. 



The rain that un-asked for falls from Heaven comes fi'om the direction 

 of the beloved one. Last I met a love face to face. The lightning springs 

 forth, it is my love that has awaked me. The scent of her locks has sweet- 

 ly seized me. The pain of separation sharply stings me in the night-watches, 

 I spring up like the flame of Kahir-wood (Frosopis spioigera), I am with- 

 out rest in the midnight watches, for the sweetness of meeting with my 

 love. Give my body some breathing-space from pain, I will not say 'No' 

 to my loves command, my body is as a shield stretched forth. Let my 

 eyes be gladdened by the sight of my fair one, let the pain caused by 

 my lady be a little appeased ; sometimes it disappears, sometimes it inci-eases. 

 I cannot use my mouth to speak by day, I have no strength, she is so strong, 

 to come to meet and speak to her. 



I sit and pray for that day : ' God, be merciful, and incline your 

 heart to me.' Let my love come down from her golden throne, let her 

 come growing like the waxing moon on its fourteenth day, let her be in 

 front of me, and I shall be king Akbar. Then I shall ask from her pearly 

 mouth ' priceless ruby like the ba£?Aashk fruit, make me your husband, 

 bound by oath, my heart has been irrevocably taken possession of, I will 

 live for the sake of your jewel-like beauty, I will spend my blood for you, 

 fairest of beings.' 



Second Song. 



Last night I saw my heart-enchanting love, the crown and ornament 

 of women. I spoke to her with my lips and said ' Do not behave foolishly, 

 like the moth flying round a flame, O bane of many lovers.' The locks of 

 hesitation are burst open, I have obeyed the call of true love. I said to 

 my beautiful love, ' fair one of a thousand wiles and sweet sugared speech, 

 tliis poor wretch's state is this, his heart is galled with his complaints, 

 he who is a chief and true friend is apart and averse from the avaricious. 

 The heart of Jam is covered with dust. It remains but to say bism'il- 

 lah in the divine presence, to remember the King and Creator, and to pray 

 tlirough the cold midnight. 



Riddles, Proverbs, ^'c. 

 The Baloches are very fond of riddles, which are always in rhyme. 

 They are of a primitive type and generally defy solution. The more 

 far-fetched they arc, the more appreciated. Those first given are by 

 Brahim a Shambani who died about two years ago. He was celebrated 

 for his riddles as well as for more serious compositions. 



