Buried Beneath

Death hath come within the walls of the household
Death came when the spirits of sickness departed
The eldest lies upon his bed and speaks no longer
The eldest is dead upon his bed, beside his children
The sons tear at their beards and gnash their teeth
The women cover their heads and burst into tears
The grave-pit beneath the floor must be opened
To receive the deceased, to go with him the offerings
A cup to hold the nectar of after-life
A vessel to hold the food of after-life
His dearest charms upon his best garments
So that he does not grow angered at the living
For having forsaken him in death
The spirit is received in the underworld
Where ash is all there is to eat
Neither joy nor sorrow is present
But the living still smell his stench