² Of what use was the strength of their hands to me,
    since their vigor had gone from them?
³ Haggard from want and hunger,
    they roamed^[a] the parched land^(A)
    in desolate wastelands^(B) at night.^(C)
4 In the brush they gathered salt herbs,^(D)
    and their food^[b] was the root of the broom bush.^(E)