II
In Praise of Rain
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It is by the unfailing fall of rain that the earth sustaineth itself: therefore is the rain called the immortal drink.
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Every food that is sweet to the taste is given to man by Rain: and itself formeth also part of his food.
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It rain should fail, famine would rage over the wide earth even though it is encircled by the ocean.
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Husbandmen would cease to ply the plough if the fountains of the heavens are dried up.
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It is rain that ruineth, and it is rain again that setteth up those that it hath ruined.
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Even grass will cease to grow if the showers from above should cease to fall.
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Even the mighty ocean would reek with corruption if the heavens should cease to suck its waters and render them back to it.
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Sacrifices will not be offered to the Gods nor Feasts be celebrated on earth if the heavens are dried up.
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Neither charity nor austerities will abide on the wide earth if the heavens should hold back their showers.
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Nothing on earth can go on without water: so even right conduct itself depends ultimately on rain.