No. 26. — 1883.] PADDY CULTIVATION CUSTOMS. 71 



2. The god of the sun's rays shining on the hill has now shaded 



this our gang : 



With fortune-bringing sickles in right-hands invoke we merits 

 on the Mother. 



Should the goyi-lord on the highland hear me, I shall receive 

 reward ; 



May all this company, great and low, recite songs without 

 bickering. 



3. Sakdevi, descending from his abode, begs alms in his ascetic garb 



of yore : 



The corn sown on the mudded golden rock bends down ripened 

 ears : 



With boiling water dressing food by supernatural power the alms 

 were given. 



May goddess Fattini grant me permission to compose and recite 

 these verses. 



4. In Rayigam Korale renowned there grew the far-famed palm tree, 

 Fair beyond words of poet, with manifold beauty crowned ; 

 From hamlet unto hamlet known, like lotus petals, expanding on 



the tree, 



Rarely this palm-flower bloomed glorious in colour. 



5. Half the day has passed since morning, nor failed of god's pro- 



tection, 



From head to foot thro' every limb god has blessed and pre- 

 served us ; 



1 he songs in rhyming measure we loudly sang to-day have made 

 the welkin ring. 



Will leave be blithely granted to forego work the rest of the 

 day ? 



6. God, grant me to tell in verse the flower's fame', 



Of the lovely tank lily's golden hue, its petals spread in ten 

 directions, 



As o'er the water's surface the Ma-nWs scent is scattered : 

 Its petals spread in ten directions, golden-hued as the lovely 

 tank lily. 



7. The seed was sown and sprouted, and like a grove rose the tree ; 

 Like boughs of bamboo shoots entwined, the palm-flower's 



pageant seemed : 

 Lur'd by sight of the flower-petals the wayfarer his journey 

 forgets. 



JLo ! from Gosna lake descending the evil to avert, in safety 

 keep us God (of mercy). 



