________________
104
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL, 1893.
No. 10. Song sung when the Bride is being sent to the house of her parents-in-law
after the Wedding. The pipes (that are being played) are made of green bamboo. Sisters, our Sirin båt is going to the house of her parents-in-law. Sirinbat, the fortunate grand-child of her (maternal) grand-father,
Is married, and is going to the house of her parents-in-law. 5 How they will rejoice to see our Sirinbai!
Sisters, our Sîrînbai is married, and is going to the house of her parents-in-law. Her father has performed the meritorious act of giving his daughter in marriage. And has acquired the blessings of Heaven.
It was fortunate that her father thoaght of this matter, 10 And gave Sirinbai to good parents-in-law.
Her father has given her a chest full of treasure, With which Sirinbai sits in her room, Her father has given Sirinbat a milch cow,
So that she may have plenty of milk and cards (to eat). 15 Mother-in-law, (pray) do not use the cane on Sirînbai,
Or she will smart under it and will weep, And long for her paternal abode. Mother-in-law, (pray) treat our Sîrînbai with kindness,
And serve her with enough of food at her meals. 20 Sirinbat is the (pet) daughter of her father,
Sirinbat is the eldest daughter-in-law in the family of her parents-in-law. Mother-in-law, (pray) treat oor Sirînbîî with magnanimity, And refrain from giving her stale food. Mother-in-law, you must not think that our Sirinba is as advanced in years as
she appears: 25 (It is only because she has been brought up on curds and milk:
(It is only because we have brought her up on lumps of butter. Sirinbâî, why have you forgotten to take with you your marriage portion 210 Fifteen strings of pearls comprise her marriage portion,
With which my Sirinbat will adorn herself. 30 Fifteen strings of diamonds comprise her marriage portion,
Which have been purchased for her by her good brother. 11
Thy husband is come, Sirînbài the Thakråņi. 35 The husband has been attracted by the graceful carriage of Sirinbåi.
Her father has presented her with a valuable lähé, (Dressed) in which she goes to the house of her parents-in-law. Sirinbil, the beloved daughter of her father,
Is married and is going to the house of her parents-in-law. 40 Sirinbåi, you wear a necklace round your neck,
And the hearts of your father-in-law and your husband will rejoice.
+ The names of many other relatives besides the maternal grandfather are used in succession. # It may be assumed that the bride is a child. • This throws a sidelight on the treatment young wives generally receive at the hands of their mothers-in-law.
10 ay is the word used in the text which means money settled upon a daughter by her father, or upon his wife by her husband, on the occasion of the marriage.
1 The father or brother may give any presenta or settle any amount of money on the bride, but he is by no means bound to do so. It is the duty of the bride's parents, however, to give presents of wearing apparel to the bridegroom's relatives and rings and some other presents to the bridegroom, as tokens of their regard, whereas it in the duty of the bridegroom's father to settle a certain amount, generally in the shape of ornamente, on the bride, and give her many suite of clothing besides, to which she has an exclusive right.
