132 FLORAL CEREMONIES. 
HYMN OF THE TURKISH CHILDREN. 
BY MISS PARDOE. 
A recent traveller in Turkey describes an interesting 
ceremony i^itnessed by her, performed at a time of exces¬ 
sive drought. “ At dusk, the village children, walking 
two and two, and each carrying a bunch of wild flowers, 
drew near the cistern in their turn, and sang to one of 
the thrilling melodies of the country, a hymn of supplica¬ 
tion.” 
Allah 1 Father ! hear us ; 
Our souls are faint and weak: 
A cloud is on our mother’s brow, 
A tear upon her cheek : 
We fain would chase that cloud away, 
And stay that sad’ning tear; 
For this it is to-night we pray— 
Allah ! Father !—^hear! 
