And over the drum-head, with prayer-dust

They marked out the cross of the quarters,

As on the cloud-shield they had leveled

Fire-bolts to the four earthly regions.

With black of shell-corpse-scales that glitters,

They painted the eyes of the leaders;

With blood of their own tinged their cheeks;

With pollen of sleep sealed their lips.

With blood of their own thus they painted

The cheeks of the warriors assembled;