Add parallel Print Page Options

in the day the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when grinders stop because they are few,
    and those peering out windows grow dim,
when doors are shut in the street
    and the sound of the mill fades,
when one arises at the chirp of a bird
    and all their songs grow faint,
when they also are afraid of heights
    and of dangers on the road,
when the almond tree blossoms,
    the grasshopper drags itself along,
    and the caper berry fails to excite—
for a man is going to his eternal home,
    and mourners go about in the street—

Read full chapter

when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;(A)
when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home(B)
    and mourners(C) go about the streets.

Read full chapter