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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(APRIL, 1921
the sad music of separation from one's beloved ; and he wept hot tears as he thought of the evil fortune that had befallen him. Hearing his sweet music, all the men and women left the ferry and sat round Ranjha. The two wives of Luddun took his feet in their hands and pressed them. And Luddan's heart wag ungry within him, and he muttered "This youth is & wizard. He has cast some spell over my wives." And ho appealed to the villagers around him saying :-"Save us from the wiles of this Jay. He will beguile all our women-folk away."
But they hoeded not his word, so powerful was the flute's enchantment. Then Ranjha having solaced his soul with music, paid no heed to the entreaties of the folk at the ferry, but taking his shoes in his hand, sot his feet in the river. And the poople said: "Sir, go not down into the river! The stream of the Chenab runs deep and strong. Even long poles cannot touch its bottom. One's life is lost at the mere sight of the waves of the Chenab." Luddan's wives tried to prevail on him to return and caught the skirts of his clothing. But Ranjha replied to them :-" It is bost that those in trouble should dio. They that are happy do not quit their honnes. My parents are dead and I have been tor. mented as Joseph was tormented by his brethren." So RÂnjha tied his clothes on his head and putting pride away from his soul, called on the names of God and Khwaja Khizr, the prophet of the Waters, and essayed to cross the river.
But the people ran and caught him and brought him back, saying "Friend, enter not the river or you will be drowned. We ourselves will carry you on our shoulders. We are your servants and you dwell as it were in the apple of our eye."
So they caught Ranjha by the arms, pui him in the boat and seated him on the couch of Hîr. And Ranjha made much questioning concerning the couch and the fine linen thereon. And the people answered :-" This is the couch of a Jât damsel, the daughter of Mihr Chûchak. She is as lovely as the moon. The Queen of the Fairies always seeks GOD'S protection from her beauty. Those who have become a prey to her charms can find no shelter on earth. Her beauty slays rich Khojas and Khatris ? in the bazaar, like a murderous Kizilbâsh trooper riding out of the royal camp armed with a sword. Luddan and his boatmen are afraid of her, even as a goat fears the wolf. She is the pride of the Sial assembly. Her name is HIR. (Quoth the poet ! "This is not a boat but a marriage procession.")
So Rânjha bid all the passers-by sit on the couch, boys and men, rich and poor. They surrounded him like moths round a lamp. And Luddan repented him that he had not taken Ranjha across at first, “For, I fear." said he," that this robber of the Chenab may by his magic beguile away my wives from me."
Now the shepherds took the news to the village that a young man was singing in the boat :-"Flowers drop from his mouth when he speaks. Luddan's wives are in love with him, and he sits on Hir's couch." And the people of the ferry asked Ranjha his story - "Whence have you come? Why have you loft your home? You seem very delicato. Has no ody given you any food, not even a drop of milk to drink ! So Ranjha told his story unto the people, saying "I was the darling of my parents, but see now the work of God, in what strange wise fate has dealt with me."
3 The merchant class in N. Indis
