THE INCANTATION OF GROA
Son.
1. Wake up, Groa! wake up, good woman! at the gates of death I wake thee! if thou rememberest, that thou thy son badest to thy grave-mound to come.
Mother.
2. What now troubles my only son? With what affliction art thou burthened, that thou thy mother callest, who to dust is come, and from human homes departed?
Son.
3. A hateful game thou, crafty woman, didst set before me, whom my has father in his bosom cherished, when thou badest me go no one knows whither, Menglod to meet.
Mother.
4. Long is the journey, long are the ways, long are men's desires. If it so fall out, that thou thy will obtainest, the event must then be as it may.
Son.
5. Sing to me songs which are good. Mother! protect thy son. Dead on my way I fear to be. I sees too young in years.
Mother.
6. I will sing to thee first one that is thought most
109
