University of Virginia Library

In thick patches are those rushes , springing by the way (-side) ;
Let not the cattle and sheep trample them .
Anon they will burst up ; anon they will be completely formed ,
With their leaves soft and glossy .
Closely related are brethren ;—
Let none be absent , let all be near .
For some there are spread mats ;
For some there are given stools [besides] .

The mats are spread , and a second one above ;
The stools are given , and there are plenty of servants .
[The guests] are pledged , and they pledge [the host] in return ;
He rinses the cup , and the guests put theirs down .
Sauces and pickles are brought in ,
With roast meat and broiled .
Excellent provisions there are [also] of tripe and cheek ;
With singing to lutes , and with drums .

The ornamented bows are strong ,
And the four arrows are all balanced .
They discharge the arrows , and all hit ,
And the guests are arranged according to their skill .
The ornamented bows are drawn full ,
And the four arrows are grasped in the hand .
They go straight to the mark as if planted in it ,
And the quests are arranged by the humble propriety of their demeanour .

The distant descendant presides over the feast ;
His sweet spirits are strong .
He fills their cups from a measure ,
And prays for the hoary old [among his quests] ;—
That with hoary age and wrinkled back ,
They may lead on one another [to virtue] , and support one another [in it] ;
That so their old age may be blessed ,
And their bright happiness [ever] increased .