Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/466

 return to them. They met the (representatives of the) cats, because they devoured the rats and mice (which injured the fruits) of the fields, and (those of) the tigers, because they devoured the (wild) boars (which destroyed them). They met them and made offerings to them. They offered also to (the ancient Inventors of) the dykes and water-channels;—(all these were) provisions for the husbandry.

11. They said,— &emsp;&emsp;"May the ground no sliding show, &emsp;&emsp; Water in its channels flow, &emsp;&emsp; Insects to keep quiet know; &emsp;&emsp; Only in the fens weeds grow!" They presented their offerings in skin caps and white robes;—in white robes to escort the closing year (to its grave). They wore sashes of dolychos cloth, and carried staffs of hazel,—as being reduced forms of mourning. In the kâ, were expressed the highest sentiments of benevolence and righteousness.