From The Lenape and their Legends by Daniel G. Brinton (1884)

1. Wulamo maskanako anup lennowak makowini essopak.

Long ago there was a mighty snake and beings evil to men. 

2. Maskanako shingalusit nijini essopak shawelendamep eken shingalan.

This mighty snake hated those who were there (and) greatly disquieted those whom he hated. 

3. Nishawi palliton, nishawi machiton, nishawi matta lungundowin.

They both did harm, they both injured each other, both were not in peace. 

4. Mattapewi wiki nihanlowit mekwazoan.

Driven from their homes they fought with this murderer. 

5. Maskanako gishi penauwelendamep lennowak owini palliton.

The mighty snake firmly resolved to harm the men. 

6. Nakowa petonep, amangam petonep, akopehella petonep.

He brought three persons, he brought a monster, he brought a rushing water. 

7. Pehella pehella, pohoka pohoka, eshohok eshohok, palliton palliton.

Between the hills the water rushed and rushed, dashing through and through, destroying much. 
 

8. Tulapit menapit Nanaboush maskaboush owinimokom linnwimokom

Nanabush, the Strong White One, grandfather of beings, grandfather of men, was on the Turtle Island. 
 

9. Gishikin-pommixin tulagis- hatten-lohxin.

There he was walking and creating, as he passed by and created the turtle. 

10. Owini linowi wemoltin, Pehella gahani pommixin, Nahiwi tatalli tulapin.

Beings and men all go forth, they walk in the floods and shallow waters, down stream thither to the Turtle Island. 

11. Amanganek makdopannek alendyuwek metzipannek.

There were many monster fishes, which ate some of them. 

 

12. Manito-dasin mokol-wichemap, Palpal payat payat wemichemap.

The Manito daughter, coming, helped with her canoe, helped all, as they came and came. 
 

13. Nanaboush Nanaboush wemimokom, Winimokom linnimokom tulamokom.

[And also] Nanabush, Nanabush, the grandfather of all, the grandfather of beings, the grandfather of men, the grandfather of the turtle. 

14. Linapi-ma tulapi-ma tulape- wi tapitawi.

The men then were together on the turtle, like to turtles. 

15. Wishanem tulpewi pataman tulpewi poniton wuliton.

Frightened on the turtle, they prayed on the turtle that what was spoiled should be restored. 
 

16. Kshipehelen penkwihilen, Kwamipokho sitwalikho, Maskan wagan palliwi palliwi.

The water ran off, the earth dried, the lakes were at rest all was silent, and the mighty snake departed.

Go to part III

White Eagle Soaring: Dream Dancer of the 7th Fire