These are some ancient rites.
"The Miller is charged to utter a prayer when wheat and barley
flour are ground.
Bulls and rams, both milk and barley fed, are sacrificed.
The thighs being the prime cut for this or that god.
The King eats a scrap from the golden plate,
then the tail goes to the metallurgist,
the breast to the Goldsmith and the ribs to the Weaver.
The priest shall mix wine and good oil.
He shall smear it on the door sockets of the gate
to the sanctuary.
The door shall not be shut.
The first watch of the night shall prepare the golden tray.
One starts the day thinking of marriage,
and ends the day thinking of war.
Each chariot has a driver and a soldier,
a battle axe and a quiver of spears.
After the running and shouting, if there is nothing,
is there peace and quiet?
The days are long in the desert not much happens quickly.
The most beautiful and well-built young men
have bowls put before them, of honeyed cream and black figs
of a violet, less dark green than eggplant skin,
and more black than blue, and sweeter than milk
for the sacrifice.
And after such wonder that there is a world at all,
the scribe has to send the police
to drag recruits from their families."