Bright was the milky way, Shining and revolving in the sky. The king said, 'Oh! What crime is chargeable on us now, That this death and disorder is sent down? Famine comes again and again. I have not ceased to call upon God; I have grudged no victim; Our jade symbols, oblong and round, are exhausted;—How is it that I am not heard?

'The drought is excessive; Its fervours become more and more tormenting. I have not ceased making pure offerings and prayers; From the border altars I have gone to the hall of prayer. To God, above and below, I have presented my offerings and then buried them;—I have called on none but Him. God has not yet come to our aid. This wasting and ruin of our country,—Would that it fell (only) on me!

'The drought is excessive, And I may not try to excuse myself. I am full of terror, and feel the peril, Like the clap of thunder or the roll. Of the remnant of Kau, among the black-haired people, There will not be half a man left; Shall God from His great heaven not spare even me? Shall we not mingle our fears together? (The offerings made in remembrance of) my ancestors will be extinguished.

'The drought is excessive, And it cannot be stopped. More fierce and fiery, It is leaving me no place. My end is near;—I have none to look up to, none to look round to. The many dukes and their ministers of the past are gone; They cannot help me. To Thee alone I turn, O God; Thou seest how I am.

'The drought is excessive;—Parched are the hills, and the streams are dried. The drought exercises its oppression, As if scattering flames and fire. My heart is terrified with the heat;—My sorrowing heart is as if on fire. O God, from Thy great heaven, Grant me the liberty to withdraw (into retirement).

'The drought is excessive;—I struggle and fear to go away. How is it that I am afflicted with this drought? I cannot ascertain the cause of it. In praying for a good year I was abundantly early. I was not late in my offerings and prayers to God for the four quarters and for the land. Has God in great heaven not considered me? Reverent before Him, I ought not to be thus tried.

'The drought is excessive;—All is dispersion, and the bonds of government are relaxed. Reduced to extremities are the heads of departments; Full of distress are my chief ministers, The Master of the Horse, the Commander of the Guards, The chief Cook, and my attendants. There is no one who has not (tried to) help (the people); They have not refrained on the ground of being unable. I look up to God on high;—Why am I plunged in this sorrow?

'I look up to the great heaven, But its stars sparkle bright. My great officers and excellent men, Ye have reverently drawn near to God with all your powers. Death is approaching. But do not cast away what you have done. You are seeking not for me only, But to give rest to all our departments. I look up to God on high;—When shall I be favoured with repose?'