60 NOTES OX THE SYMBOLISM OF THE 



Stanza V. 



1. — The drought is already too extreme ! 



2. — Scoured, scoured the hills, dried the streams ; 



3. — The Demon of Drought exercises his ravages and his oppression. 



4. — Like fire burning in the heart — like fire burning in the hedges — 



5. — My lonely heart is as dried by the heat of summer ; 



6. — Sorrow in my burning heart is like the clouds of steam rising 



from fire ; 

 7. — The many virtuous men of the past ! ! ! 

 8. — Its serious consequences they do not hear or understand, 

 9. — Vast as Heaven the Above Ruler ! 

 10. — Be willing to enable me to retire ! 



Stanza VI. 



1. — The drought is already too extreme. 



2. — I strive in vain — I fear the passing days. 



3. — How, why, should I endure this severe affliction ? 



4. — Unhappily I cannot learn its reason. 



5. — I offered the early sacrifices for good crops, in good time, and 

 with deep respect and awe ; 



6. — Not one of the earth spirits of the four quarters did I neglect. 



7. — Vast as Heaven the Above Ruler. 



8. — Does not even consider my behaviour. 



9. — I have been respectful and reverent to the spirits whose in- 

 telligence is brilliant as the sun and moon combined — 

 10. — They ought not to visit on me their hate and fury. 



Stanza VII. 



1. — The drought is already too extreme ! 



2. — Order is dispersed, no laws remain in force. 



3. — Reduced to extremities are the great officials. 



4. — As if smitten with a chronic illness and wounded with weapons 



is my chief Minister, 

 5. — My Master of Horse — my Commander of the Guards, — 

 6. — He who superintends my food, my attendants both to the right 



and to the left 

 7. — Not one among them has failed to try and help the people. 

 8. — Not one among them has ceased trying because of a feeling of 



disability 

 9. — I throw back my head, I gaze at Vast Heaven with reverence — 

 10. — I speak saying "Why must I bear such grief?" 



Stanza VIII. 



1. — I throw back my head — I gaze at Vast Heaven with reverence. 



2. — The stars are sparking brightly. 



3. — My Officers, the great men of my country, 



4. — You have reverently approached Heaven, and have kept nothing 



back. 

 5. — The great Decree of Heaven by which. I live and reign, is 



nearly at an end — Death is approaching ! ! 

 6. — Do you not abandon that which you have so far accomplished — 

 7. — Your prayers and sacrifices are not for me alone — 

 8. — But to keep calamity from all the people and those who rule- 



them. 

 9. — I throw back my head, I gaze at Vast Heaven with reverence — 

 10. — When may I, of grace, be given Peace? 



