I want to correct myself. In tranlating the Yiddish, I think I was not using the correct source. In verse 2, it is apparently "schreit dos kelbl", which means, the calf cries, and not "cry, you calf". That makes a difference... The farmer is responding to the calf's moaning by self-justification, philosophising, blaming the victim... Basically the same, but not as harsh as I made it to be.
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