Classic Poem

Is it for me to eat what food I have
And all day sit idle?
Is it for me to drink the sweet water poured out
And all day sit idle?
Is it for me to gaze upon my wife
And all day sit idle?
Is it for me to hold my child in my arms
And all day sit idle?

My desire was uncontrollable.
It was the dizziness of battle;
I, ground it to powder and therewith I painted my face.
It was the drunkenness of battle;
I ground it to powder and therewith I tied my hair in a war knot.
Then did I hold firm my well-strung bow and my smooth, straight-flying arrow.
To me did I draw my far-striding sandals, and fast I tied them.

Over the flat land did I then go striding,
Over the embedded stones did I then go stumbling,
Under the trees in the ditches did I go stooping,
Through the trees on the high ground did I go hurtling,
Through the mountain gullies did I go brushing quickly.

In four halts did I reach the shining white eagle, my guardian,
And I asked power.
Then favorable to me he felt
And did bring forth his shining white stone.
Our enemy's mountain he made white as with moonlight
And brought them close,
And across them I went striding.

In four halts did I reach the blue hawk, my guardian,
And I asked power.
The hawk favorable to me he felt
And did bring forth his blue stone.
Our enemy's waters he made white as with moonlight,
And around them I went striding.
There did I seize and pull up and make into a bundle
Those things which were my enemy's,
All kinds of seeds and beautiful clouds and beautiful winds.

Then came forth a thick stalk and a thick tassel,
And the undying seed did ripen.
This I did on behalf of my people.
Thus should you also think and desire,
All you my kinsmen.