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    In the earth they cut a shaft
        in a place forgotten, far from the beaten path;
    They descend on ropes,
        swinging dangerously back and forth.
    The ground above yields food;
        the earth below is turned as if fire has destroyed it
    Where earth gives up sapphires from her rocks
        and bits of gold from her dirt.

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Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,(A)
    in places untouched by human feet;
    far from other people they dangle and sway.
The earth, from which food comes,(B)
    is transformed below as by fire;
lapis lazuli(C) comes from its rocks,
    and its dust contains nuggets of gold.(D)

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