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Thick grew the tribulus [on the ground] ,
But they cleared away its thorny bushes .
Why did they this of old ?
That we might plant our millet and sacrificial millet ;
That our millet might be abundant ,
And our sacrificial millet luxuriant .
When our barns are full ,
And our stacks can be counted by tens of myriads ,
We proceed to make spirits and prepare viands ,
For offerings and sacrifice ;
We seat the representatives of the dead , and urge them to eat :—
Thus seeking to increase our bright happiness .

With correct and reverent deportment ,
The oxen and sheep all pure ,
We proceed to the winter and autumnal sacrifices .
Some flay [the victims] ; some boil [their flesh] ;
Some arrange [the meat] ; some adjust [the pieces of it] .
The priest sacrifices inside the temple gate ,
And all the service is complete and brilliant .
Grandly come our progenitors ;
Their Spirits happily enjoy the offerings ;
Their filial descendent receives blessing :—
They will reward him with great happiness ,
With myriads of years , life without end .

They attend to the furnaces with reverence ;
They prepare the trays , which are very large ;—
Some for the roast meat ; some for the broiled .
Wives presiding are still and reverent ,
Preparing the numerous [smaller] dishes .
The guests and visitors ,
Present the cup , and drink all round .
Every form is according to rule ;
Every smile and word are as they should be .
The Spirits quietly come ,
And respond with great blessings ;—
Myriads of years as the [fitting] reward .

We are very much exhausted ,
And have performed every ceremony without error .
The able priest announces [the will of the Spirits] ,
And goes to the filial descendent to convey it .
' Fragrant has been your filial sacrifice ,
And the Spirits have enjoyed your spirits and viands .
They confer upon you a hundred blessings ;
Each as it is desired , each as sure as law .
You have been exact and expeditions ;
You have been correct and careful :
They will ever confer on you the choicest favours ,
In myriads and tens of myriads . '

The ceremonies having thus been completed ,
And the bells and drums having given their warning ,
The filial descendent goes to his place ,
And the able priest makes his announcement ,
' The Spirits have drunk to the full . '
The great representative of the dead then rises ,
And the bells and drums escort his withdrawal ,
[On which] the Spirits tranquilly return [to their place] .
All the servants, and the presiding wives ,
Remove [the trays and dishes] without delay .
The [descendant's] uncles and cousins ,
All repair to the private feast .