Husbandry and Ancestor-Worship

At, this South Hill assuredly
Did Yii (in time of old) reclaim;
So hill and dale were cleared, — and he,
The Latest Heir, allots the same, —
Manor and farm, with varying bound,
Where South and Eastward lies the ground.
And when the heaven is clouded o'er,
And snow descends in heavy flakes,
And drizzling rain comes furthermore,
(The fields) it feeds, their thirst it slakes;
And thus the glad and sated earth
Brings all our sorts of grain to birth.

Manor and farm have every care;
And millets flourish, full and fine,
The harvest of the Latest Heir,
Whereof to make the food and wine
Our Proxies and our guests to give,
So he the myriad years may live.
And cots within the fields one sees;
For all the plots are lined with gourds,
And peeled and pickled all are these
To offer to the ancient lords,
That long the Latest Heir may live,
And Heaven's full benison receive.

Oblations of pure wine he pours;
And then the dark-roan ox (he fells)
And offers to his ancestors;
Takes next the knife with tinkling bells,
Lays bare the hair, and (tested that),
Takes portions of the blood and fat;
These doth he offer and present,
And fragrant perfume fills the air;
And to the rites all-reverent
The ancient Sires in state repair,
And with great blessing these requite —
With life enduring, infinite!