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August, 1885.]
THE SONG OF ALHA'S MARRIAGE.
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attendants of their marriage processions. TheWhatever he has written in the book of fate fathers of the bridegrooms he has shut up in that cannot be erased. If I die the earth is but dungeons," and the match-makers have been smaller by a single yard." Let me have one clothed in fetters. The very bards and mu- struggle (lit. blow) with destiny. (65) Then sicians have all been reduced to mud under the shall I be worthy to be called the Lord Rûdal, marriage canopy. (40) Three thousand men the son of Jåsar. of the tribes of Ek'hâ, Dhek’ha, Dhel'pur'wà, Rûdal departed thence, and went to the and Mut'ghinch'wa (has he slain). You will be fort of Piari, to where Deba" was holding killed in Nainagarh. O Rådal, pay heed to court. Dêbâ spread a golden bed for him, what I say. There is no hero in the world and made ready a golden stool. He sate him who dare marry Son'vatî. Go not to Naina- down on the top of seven carpets. (70) Rûdal garh.' So much heard Rûdal, and in a rage folded his hands, and said, 'My blessing be he blazed up like burning coals. (45) Reve- upon Débâ, the Brâhman. War has been rently said he, Brother, hearken to me. O declared with Nainagarh. Débâ, accompany cowardly brother, you are frightened and have me.' When Dêbû heard this he was thrown lost your wits. Shame upon your life! Has into perplexity, but with folded hands said, your sword sunk in the world 21 0 Amba, on Lord Rûdal, hear my words. Wherever Rodal's the day on which I go to Nainagarh will my sweat will fall, there will my blood fall too.' sword be wielded furiously. Ilook not at my (75) Dába, Débâ, cried out Rûdal, Deba, pay thin body, nor on my slender limbs, (50) for heed unto me. The horse" is tied up in my on the day on which I go to Nainâgaph will my stable, go and bring it to me this day.' Dêbû sword be wielded night and day.' When went off from Piari to Rûdal's stable. FiftyAlhå heard these words he was thrown into two horses of Kôtal were tied there, and in the great perplexity, and said politely, 'Lord Rådal, midst was the horse Benuliyâ ; 'twas then that hear me. How often have I remonstrated Débâ approached it. (80) With folded hands with you, Bagh Radal, and you never paid Débâ said, 'O horse, hear my words! You are heed to me? If you had been a child I could summoned by Bagh Rûdal. War has been dehave prevented you by force, but how can a clared with Nainagarh. O horse, accompany me!' hero like you be stayed, if he pays no heed to So much heard the horse, and in a rage he blazed words? (55) So whatever is your pleasure, that up like burning coals. Said he, My blessing be do. When Rûdal heard this, he rejoiced greatly, upon the Lord Déba. (85) Has a thunderbolt and after crying shame on cowardice, he said, fallen upon Alhå (that he fights no more) ? * Hear, O Brother, cherisher of the poor! It May torrents of anger fall upon him too. Ever would have been better, elder brother mine, since I have come from Indra's heaven, have I that you had drowned yourself, for it is dis- been put to this sad plight. Worms have bred in graceful for you to live. Had you been born my hoofs. Spiders have spun webs on the in the house of a leather-worker, you might shields, and rust has formed upon the swords. have stayed at home and) dressed leather every Has the sword sunk in the world pa. Âlhâ has morning. (60) But we are Raj'pûts by caste, never seen a fight (since then), and we have and we have but a few days in which we can but a few days to live in the world.' (90) Dê bâ live in this world. There are but three or four was delighted at hearing these words; and days of life, and then comes the dark night. unfastened the horse's front, heel, and neckEven if fate is displeased with us, God can ropes. He put on him the golden saddle and but take away our life. What else can he do ? bridle. As he unfastened the bridle he patted 18 This was a common custom in those days. When a
* An astrologer who plays an important part in the Rajput ve his daughter in marriage, it WAN pula of poem. In the western recension he is Dhew, the son of honour only to give her at the point of the sword.
Rah'mal, and his horse was named Manur'th. 11 ICT is a corruption of the English. guard.
» AlhA and Radal and their cousins were possessed 15 i. e. is there no one else left to fight with?
of five magic horses, which were foals of a horse belong 10 A name of Dévi.
ing to Indra out of a piebald mare belonging to Parmal, 101... Tiger Radal. Thas become shortened to tas
and which had wings. In the Western version Ålhi's
horse is named Kariliya, and Udal's Ras'bêndulor it is in the before the penultimate of a compound tadbhava word.
nie. taken up by my grave. This song is sung prin- * 1.6. Is there no one left to conquer P cipally by nata and jögfs, who bury their dead.
Bend is named them. In the Westlonging to Paris
