________________
NOVEMBER, 1925)
A VERSION OF BIR AND RANJHA
215
Translation. Then he turned again towards the Kheris; And on the way he met a shepherd, Who recognised Ranjha's appearance without doubt, And began to ask his news. After some parley Ranjha told him : "I am that Ranjha greatly afflicted by love."
Says Asa) Singh : at last he got rid of the shepherd, And reaching Rangpur, was mad with desire.
Kaf (1) Kai kuanrîân bharan pani; Ainyân khuh hetei shahr jo vasdiani. Sohnå vekhke mast-almast jogi, Már sainiai särian hasdiani. Ranjha khair di waste shahr turyâ; Woh bhi chà ghare kadam kasdiani. Singha ! "Nawa jogi sadi des AyA." Vanj Hîr Syal nun dasdiani.
Translation. Some girls were drawing water, They dwelt by the well below the village : They saw a handsome, crazy jogi. All the girls laughed at him. Ranjha went to the village to beg for alms; And they went with him carrying their waterpots. [Says Asa) Singh : They said : “A new jogi has come to our country." And they went and told Hîr, the Syal.
Kaf (2). Kiya "alakh ! alakh !" Ranjhe Pahle vich vehre pind Kheriyan de. Dari Jatt di gân theo dudh dulya. Jatti kharik tari nál jhesiydi de :"Nan Khair da," ten dhunde Hir tain: Jhati paunda phire vich vehriyån de. Singh I Ranjhe ne vanj bandar vichon Kadhya Sahti nui nal bakhoriyan de.
Translation Crying "dlakh, dlakh," Ranjha First went into the court-yards of the Khoris' village And milked the cow of Dari, the Jatt. The Jatti [his wife) drove him out with abuse. [Saying]:" In the name of God ", he searched for Hir, And wandered round peeping into the yards. [Says Asa] Singh: RanjhA by a trick Got Sahti to come out of the yard,
