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"Therefore are thy children dwindled, Therefore is thine altar bare; Wheat, and rye, and millet spindled, And the fruits of earth despair.

"Men with haggard bellies languish, Bridal beds are strewn with anguish, Mothers sell their babes for bread, Half the holy kine are dead.

"Is thy wrath at last relaxing? Art thou merciful, once more? Yea, behold the torrent waxing! Yea, behold the flooded shore!