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Thick grew the tribulus [on the ground], |
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But they cleared away its thorny bushes. |
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Why did they this of old? |
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That we might plant our millet and sacrificial millet; |
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That our millet might be abundant, |
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And our sacrificial millet luxuriant. |
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When our barns are full, |
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And our stacks can be counted by tens of myriads, |
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We proceed to make spirits and prepare viands, |
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For offerings and sacrifice; |
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We seat the representatives of the dead, and urge them to eat: -- |
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Thus seeking to increase our bright happiness. |
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With correct and reverent deportment, |
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The oxen and sheep all pure, |
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We proceed to the winter and autumnal sacrifices. |
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Some flay [the victims]; some boil [their flesh]; |
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Some arrange [the meat]; some adjust [the pieces of it]. |
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The priest sacrifices inside the temple gate, |
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And all the service is complete and brilliant. |
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Grandly come our progenitors; |
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Their Spirits happily enjoy the offerings; |
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Their filial descendent receives blessing: -- |
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They will reward him with great happiness, |
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With myriads of years, life without end. |
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They attend to the furnaces with reverence; |
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They prepare the trays, which are very large; -- |
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Some for the roast meat; some for the broiled. |
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Wives presiding are still and reverent, |
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Preparing the numerous [smaller] dishes. |
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The guests and visitors, |
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Present the cup, and drink all round. |
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Every form is according to rule; |
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Every smile and word are as they should be. |
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The Spirits quietly come, |
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And respond with great blessings; -- |
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Myriads of years as the [fitting] reward. |
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We are very much exhausted, |
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And have performed every ceremony without error. |
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The able priest announces [the will of the Spirits], |
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And goes to the filial descendent to convey it. |
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' Fragrant has been your filial sacrifice, |
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And the Spirits have enjoyed your spirits and viands. |
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They confer upon you a hundred blessings; |
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Each as it is desired, each as sure as law. |
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You have been exact and expeditions; |
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You have been correct and careful: |
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They will ever confer on you the choicest favours, |
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In myriads and tens of myriads. ' |
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The ceremonies having thus been completed, |
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And the bells and drums having given their warning, |
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The filial descendent goes to his place, |
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And the able priest makes his announcement, |
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' The Spirits have drunk to the full. ' |
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The great representative of the dead then rises, |
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And the bells and drums escort his withdrawal, |
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[On which] the Spirits tranquilly return [to their place]. |
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All the servants, and the presiding wives, |
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Remove [the trays and dishes] without delay. |
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The [descendant's] uncles and cousins, |
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All repair to the private feast. |