Bride Price: Gratuitous Marriage

In bridled hovel on denuded strand Tanned damsel loiters on barter stand Waiting for purloined fealty her title to brand Festooned in ritual garb, decked with lavish garland As noble peacock, her fecund colors are fanned Waiting eligible suitors her utility, virility to scan Her father a lofty price doth rightly command To root out pilfering charlatan, worthless brigand A reputable family with aspirations noble, grand Bids for the honor of reticent, sheltered hand Her elder for propriety doth initial offers withstand Until the esteemed value of his ward family doth understand A suitable piece of fertile lowland he indignantly demands In order his tribal status and perpetuity to expand With gratuitous stipend in token parlance panned In customary deference, contrite bride accepts husband