Page:Pekinese Rhymes (G. Vitale, 1896).djvu/62



These words are sung by children as they give each other the hand and turn around in a circle: no particulary defined meaning is attached to them, as they are put together only to keep measure with the steps. 軲轆圓 ku$1$ lu$4$ yüan$2$, as round as a wheel. 甩 shuai$3$, expresses a movement peculiar to the Chinese, that of letting down with a sudden jerk of the arm, the long sleeve which was tucked up the wrist. 唏𠺕嘩拉 hsi$1$ liu$1$ hua$1$ la$1$, words with no meaning.

Draw, draw ― draw the circle as round as a wheel ― at every house-door is hanging a red thread ― the red thread is thick ― drop the sleeve ― drop it as far as behind the door ― behingbehind [sic] the door ― is hanging the swoard ― the swoard is cutting ― and is so long that it touches the sky ― the sky thunders ― the dog bites the thieves ― hsiliuhualà once more!