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O vast and distant Heaven, |
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Who art called our parent, |
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That without crime or offence, |
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I should suffer from disorders thus great! |
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The terrors of great Heaven are excessive, |
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But indeed I have committed no crime. |
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[The terrors of] great Heaven are very excessive, |
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But indeed I have committed no offence. |
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Disorder then comes to the birth, |
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When the first untruth is received. |
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Its further increase, |
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Is from our sovereign's believing the slanderers. |
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If he were to be angry [with them], |
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The disorder would probably quickly be abated; |
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If he were to show his joy [in the good], |
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The disorder would probably quickly cease. |
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Our sovereign makes frequent covenants, |
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And the disorders are thereby increased. |
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He believes the scoundrels, |
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And the disorders thereby grow into oppression. |
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Their words are very sweet, |
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And the disorders thereby advance. |
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They do not discharge their duties, |
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But only create distress to the king. |
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Very grand is the ancestral temple; -- |
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A true sovereign made it. |
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Wisely arranged are the great plans; -- |
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Sages determined them. |
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What other men have in their minds, |
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I can measure by reflection. |
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Swiftly runs the crafty hare, |
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But it is caught by the hound. |
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Trees of soft wood, easily wrought, |
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Are planted by wise men. |
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The words of way-farers that come and go, |
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Can be discriminated by the mind. |
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Their easy and grand words, |
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[Only] issue from their mouths. |
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Their artful words, like organ-tongues, |
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Show how unblushing are their faces. |
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Who are they? |
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They [are like men who] dwell on the banks of the river; |
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And they have neither strenghth nor courage, |
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While yet they rear the steps of disorder! |
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With legs ulcerated and swollen, |
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What courage can you have? |
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You form plans great and many, |
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But your followers about you are few. |