On the Death of Smet-Smet, the Hippopotamus Goddess

SONG OF A TRIBE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

(The Priests within the Temple)

She was wrinkled and huge and hideous? She was our Mother.
She was lustful and lewd? — but a God; we had none other.
In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;
We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

(The People without)

She sent us pain ,
— And we bowed before Her;
She smiled again
— And bade us adore Her .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?

(The Priests within)

She was hungry and ate our children; — how should we stay Her?
She took our young men and our maidens; — ours to obey Her.
We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.
She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

(The People without)

She was so strong;
— But Death is stronger .
She ruled us long;
— But Time is longer .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?

SONG OF A TRIBE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

(The Priests within the Temple)

She was wrinkled and huge and hideous? She was our Mother.
She was lustful and lewd? — but a God; we had none other.
In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;
We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

(The People without)

She sent us pain ,
— And we bowed before Her;
She smiled again
— And bade us adore Her .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?

(The Priests within)

She was hungry and ate our children; — how should we stay Her?
She took our young men and our maidens; — ours to obey Her.
We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.
She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

(The People without)

She was so strong;
— But Death is stronger .
She ruled us long;
— But Time is longer .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?

SONG OF A TRIBE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

(The Priests within the Temple)

She was wrinkled and huge and hideous? She was our Mother.
She was lustful and lewd? — but a God; we had none other.
In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;
We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

(The People without)

She sent us pain ,
— And we bowed before Her;
She smiled again
— And bade us adore Her .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?

(The Priests within)

She was hungry and ate our children; — how should we stay Her?
She took our young men and our maidens; — ours to obey Her.
We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.
She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

(The People without)

She was so strong;
— But Death is stronger .
She ruled us long;
— But Time is longer .
She solaced our woe
— And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
— Now God is dying?
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