Wednesday, September 21, 2016

The Saghalien

"And here, in the brilliant moonlight of the China Sea, she (Nan-yang Maru) curled up cross-legged on the deck, all alone, and sounded the four futile strings of her moon-lute, and hummed to herself, in a still voice, old songs she had sung in Yian before the tragedy. She sang the tent-song called Tchinguiz. She sang Camel Bells and The Blue Bazaar,—children's songs of the Yiort. She sang the ancient Khiounnou song called "The Saghalien":
I
'In the month of Saffar Among the river-reeds I saw two horsemen Sitting on their steeds. Tulugum! Heitulum! By the river-reeds.

II
In the month of Saffar A demon guards the ford. Tokhta, my Lover! Draw your shining sword! Tulugum! Heitulum! Slay him with your sword!

III
In the month of Saffar Among the water-weeds I saw two horsemen Fighting on their steeds. Tulugum! Heitulum! How my lover leeds!

IV
In the month of Saffar, The Year I should have wed— The Year of The Panther— My lover lay dead,— Tulugum! Heitulum! Dead without a head. '"

Chapter I The Yezidee, The Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

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