Now commence by bending down one of the blossom-sheaths, lay hold of the
central shoot, and thrice repeat the following lines:—
“Peace be with your Highnesses, Princesses of the Shorn Hair and (perpetual)
Distillation,
Who are (seen) in the curve (lit. swell) and the ebbing away of the Blossom-
sheath,
Of the Blossom-sheath Si Gĕdĕbeh Mayang,
Seven Princesses who are the Handmaidens of Si Mayang.”
(Here the speaker addresses the soul (or rather souls) of the tree.)
“Come hither, Little One, come hither,
Come hither, Tiny One, come hither,
Come hither, Bird, come hither,
Come hither, Filmy One, come hither.
Thus I bend your neck,
Thus I roll up your hair,
And here is an Ivory Toddy-knife to help the washing of your face.Here is an Ivory Toddy-knife to cut you short,
And here is an Ivory Cup to hold under you,
And there is an Ivory Bath that waits below for you.
Clap your hands and splash in the Ivory Bath,
For it is called the ‘Sovereign Changing Clothes.’”^185