Holy visions! Now they cross the threshold, gliding softly Toward the space within; Softly gliding on—holy visions— Toward the space within. V Holy visions! They the lodge are filling with their presence, Fraught with hope and peace; Filling all the lodge—holy visions— Fraught with hope and peace. VI Holy visions! Now they touch the children, gently touch them, Giving dreams of joy; Gently touch each one—holy visions— Giving dreams of joy. VII Holy visions! Ended now their mission, pass they outward, Yet they leave us joy; Pass they all from us—holy visions— Yet they leave us joy. VIII Holy visions! They, the sky ascending, reach their dwelling; There they rest above; They their dwelling reach—holy visions— There they rest above. RITUAL SONG (_Pawnee_) I I know not if the voice of man can reach to the sky; I know not if the mighty one will hear as I pray; I know not if the gifts I ask will all granted be; I know not if the word of old we truly can hear; I know not what will come to pass in our future days; I hope that only good will come, my children, to you. II I now know that the voice of man can reach the sky; I now know that the mighty one has heard as I prayed; I now know that the gifts I asked have all granted been. I now know that the word of old we truly have heard; I now know that _Tirá wa_ hearkens unto man’s prayer; I know that only good has come, my children, to you. MEDICINE SONG (_Omaha_) Ho! Aged One, _eçka_, At a time when there were gathered together seven persons, You sat in the seventh place, it is said, And of the Seven you alone possessed knowledge of all things, Aged One, _eçka_. When in their longing for protection and guidance, The people sought in their minds for a way, They beheld you sitting with assured permanency and endurance In the center where converged the paths, There, exposed to the violence of the four winds, you sat, Possessed with power to receive supplications, Aged One, _eçka_. Where is his mouth, by which there may be utterance of speech? Where is his heart, to which there may come knowledge and understanding? Where are his feet, whereby he may move from place to place? We question in wonder, Yet verily it is said you alone have power to receive supplications, Aged One, _eçka_. I have desired to go yet farther in the path of life with my little ones, Without pain, without sickness, Beyond the second, third, and fourth period of life’s pathway, Aged One, _eçka_. O hear! This is my prayer, Although uttered in words poorly put together, Aged One, _eçka_. SONG OF THE PRIMAL ROCK (_Omaha_)