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?