According to one ancient tradition,

Before the straw-dolls were set forth

At the sacrifice on the altar of Earth,

They were placed in a box or basket

And wrapped up with brocaded cloths,

While the representative of Grand Ancestors

And the worshippers prepared themselves

By fasting to present them in the best way.

After they had been set forth, however,

Passers-by felt free to trample on their heads

And backs and breasts, and the grass-cutters

Took and burnt them in their cooking stoves.

That's all they were good for, those straw-dolls.

If one should again take them and replace them

In the box or basket, and wrap them up

With richly embroidered cloths

And then in rambling or abiding at the spot

Should go to sleep under them,

If he does not get evil dreams, he is sure

To be often troubled with nightmare.

Now here are our meticulous historians

And distinguished scholars in the same way,

Taking the straw-dolls presented by the ancients,

And leading us to ramble or abide and sleep

Under them to be troubled with the nightmare.