35 [Paramaribo, 1965]
The qualifications of a girl in an arranged marriage4
I.
sūtala rahilyaų maį bābā phulavariyā re
II.
dhā̈ī bakhariyā ke jā̈ų re
III.
kekare duvāre maiyā bājana bajaį
IV.
kekara maiyā racalyau biyāha re
V.
sūtala rahilau beṭī bābā phulavariyā re
VI.
dhā̈ī bakhariyā ke jā̈u re
VII.
bābā duvariyā beṭī bājana baje re
VIII.
tuharo beṭī racalyaų biyāha re
IX.
na sikhalyaų e maiyā līpana potana
X.
nahį sikhalyaų sijhahi rasöī re
XI.
sāsū nanada mili bābā gariyäihäį
[sāsū nanada mili (bhaiyā) gariyäihäį]
XII.
more būte sahā ī na jā̈ī re
XIII.
sikhi lehu e beṭī līpana potana
XIV.
sikhi lehu sijhahi rasöī re
[p. 85]
XV.
sāsū nanada mili bābā gariyäihäį
[sāsū nanada mili (bhaiyā) gariyäihäį]
XVI.
lai līho ącarā pasāri re
I.
I was asleep in father's flower garden;
II.
I run and go towards (his) storeroom.
III.
- Mother, at whose door are the musical instruments being played?
IV.
Mother, whose wedding have you arranged?
V.
- Daughter, You lay asleep in (your) father's flower garden
VI.
And ran to go towards (his) store-room.
VII.
Daughter, (it is) at (your) father's door (that) the musical instruments are being played;
VIII.
Daughter, (it is) your wedding (that) I have arranged.
IX.
- Mother, I have not learnt plastering and smearing (the floor),
X.
Nor have I learnt to cook meals.
XI.
The mother-in-law and nanad will join together and curse my father1;
XII.
This will be unbearable for me.
XIII.
- Daughter, learn to plaster and smear (the floor),
XIV.
Learn to cook the meals.
XV.
(Your) mother-in-law and nanad will join together and curse your father -1
XVI.
(Then), you should spread the añcal and take (the curses quietly).
