 | The Titans |  |
17
BOOK II
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ARGUMENT
Earth long remains unpeopled wilderness. After birds', beasts' and fishes' kinds, in the end of Time; is Man formed naked in an Isle: and is founden dwelling, in dread of salvage beasts.
When then the bow is found, Man becomes an hunter. His tongue also is loost to utterance, and human speech is perfected. Bread-corn is found. Men learn to till Earths ground, and to keep cattle: women to spin and weave. The Gods reveal their will to Man, and a path of rightwiseness.
Titans waken from long stony trance. Dark Fate is manifested in bodily form on lowly Earth: and revealeth the foredetermined Counsel of the heavens. Titans bind themselves, notwithstanding Fates warning Voice; to fight against men and Gods. Earth-Mother raiseth up from Sea-Deep, a brow of rocks, for their passage forth; betwixt Manholm and the Main.
Titan-dœmons send Spirit-messengers, to the four Winds; which consent to fly, to view mens ways and works. Only South Wind favours human kin. Other their messengers, seek to the Lord of Seas, to elemental Fire, the Sun, to Night and to the Clouds.
Shudders the Earth and gapes: and her chinks bring forth a monstrous brood of grievous creeping things, upon the Worlds clay-ground.
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Among the infinite stars of firmament:
Hath many sythes; sith Gods Hand launcht it forth;
Bowed down slow-reeling axe-tree of Earth-clot,
Before the Throne! Each Reverence, stars'-priests tell us,
As thirty thousand Suns revolving years,
Endures.
Hath many sythes; sith Gods Hand launcht it forth;
Bowed down slow-reeling axe-tree of Earth-clot,
Before the Throne! Each Reverence, stars'-priests tell us,
As thirty thousand Suns revolving years,
Endures.
Earth lies unpeopled wilderness:
Wherein not yet is found the human Nation;
To till it and subdue Her salvage mould.
Wherein not yet is found the human Nation;
To till it and subdue Her salvage mould.
Mongst all the kinds of flesh, beasts, fowls and fish;
Which now have therein long time had their being;
None eye beholds, which understanding hath.
Nor wight what méaneth that manifold spectacle of
Earths Face, requireth; nor what heavens stars on loft!
Which now have therein long time had their being;
None eye beholds, which understanding hath.
Nor wight what méaneth that manifold spectacle of
Earths Face, requireth; nor what heavens stars on loft!
Where border Sea and Land; Seas wind-hurled flood;
Spurning Earth-mountains coast, with infinite foot;
Still travails, with sharp teeth of sand, to waste.
Gainst which, there counter elemental force,
Of swelling îron tide, beneath the Earth;
Labours supplant Seas boiling Deep; and raise
Her baked clay-ground, in moles of smoking rocks.
Those for the mastery eternally contend thus.
Spurning Earth-mountains coast, with infinite foot;
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Gainst which, there counter elemental force,
Of swelling îron tide, beneath the Earth;
Labours supplant Seas boiling Deep; and raise
Her baked clay-ground, in moles of smoking rocks.
Those for the mastery eternally contend thus.
Were woodshaws harbours, ere yet Time named was,
Upon the antique Earth, of manifold beasts.
Mongst whom, whose leafy hold is in high trees;
Lurked that misshape of Nature, which loath most
Is in Man's seeing, an hairy speechless beast;
As semblable being to his selfs outward part;
The woodwight vile and ape ridiculous:
Which hath a bough to house; and harrish hips,
Maggots and mast, for his lips' sustenance.
Times pass: is that a moment of Gods Universe!
Upon the antique Earth, of manifold beasts.
Mongst whom, whose leafy hold is in high trees;
Lurked that misshape of Nature, which loath most
Is in Man's seeing, an hairy speechless beast;
As semblable being to his selfs outward part;
The woodwight vile and ape ridiculous:
Which hath a bough to house; and harrish hips,
Maggots and mast, for his lips' sustenance.
But wherein hoary old rivelled is Earths Face
Waxed; when late offspring, (seed of heavenly stars
His spirit is,) lord of Her salvage kinds;
Earths Lap, amidst vast circle of the Deep;
(A sea-holm newly uplifted is the Place;)
Hath, like a Portent, Man mongst beasts, brought forth.
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Two-footed long loose-lockt, with wildered looks;
Training his feeble limbs, that first man goeth:
Gathering, gainst ebb, as his wont is, longs strand;
(Where Seas eternal Flood against herself;
Hath heaped long sliding shelves of pebble-stones;)
What-so wild meat his indigent hand might find;
Whelks, cockles, wrack. But Fire (Companion Element
Which sithen of Mans life,) he not yet knoweth,
To wake. In later days have learned Mans sons,
To ascend, when Season is, from shore, upland;
To gather-in field fruits and delve wild roots.
Sith men have found, to arm their feeble hands;
Gainst the crude forest beasts, that hunt for flesh;
With slings and bats and stones. Some, wattled trees'
Boughs, cradle thus their babes: they climb themselves
Thereto likewise, after the Sun is set;
To sleep in surety: oft but, in dim wood-light;
Thing cróoked bough séemeth, at éye, fell serpent is.
And Man oft-whiles, in fear to fall; all night,
Must, in faint arms, some rinded trunk embrace.
Gainst the crude forest beasts, that hunt for flesh;
With slings and bats and stones. Some, wattled trees'
Boughs, cradle thus their babes: they climb themselves
Thereto likewise, after the Sun is set;
To sleep in surety: oft but, in dim wood-light;
Thing cróoked bough séemeth, at éye, fell serpent is.
And Man oft-whiles, in fear to fall; all night,
Must, in faint arms, some rinded trunk embrace.
In caves, neath hollow roots, and eaves of rocks;
They fenced with pales and wall-up with wild stones;
(Wherein might they bestow their Summer fruits;)
Men shelter them, from claws and cruel teeth,
Of salvage beasts; and from the Sunless cold.
They fenced with pales and wall-up with wild stones;
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Men shelter them, from claws and cruel teeth,
Of salvage beasts; and from the Sunless cold.
Being all yet, in that antique human fellowship;
(Whereás they alréady pair them, man and wife;)
Dumb wights: is each a solitude by himself;
Child of the Sky and Earth, and featured thus:
Lacking, through défect of artículate speech;
Communion of his spirit, with other wights.
(Whereás they alréady pair them, man and wife;)
Dumb wights: is each a solitude by himself;
Child of the Sky and Earth, and featured thus:
Lacking, through défect of artículate speech;
Communion of his spirit, with other wights.
The sinewed bow, flit shaft and flint-head javelin,
Be nathless found: wherewith mens hardy hands
Being armed; they no more fear fell forest beasts:
But hunt them: and besides in snares, in pits,
Take them. His naked flesh Man clothes then with
Beasts' hairy hides, in Winters long disease.
Some lime birds; some have fishes learned, in nets
To take: some gather honey in wild woods.
Men hunters, bearing bows of mighty draught;
Be nathless found: wherewith mens hardy hands
Being armed; they no more fear fell forest beasts:
But hunt them: and besides in snares, in pits,
Take them. His naked flesh Man clothes then with
Beasts' hairy hides, in Winters long disease.
Some lime birds; some have fishes learned, in nets
To take: some gather honey in wild woods.
To thickets and wild holts resort; to seek
Some prey amongst the hairy spotted kinds.
Such wait, where the great hart wont have his flight:
Or him, where tosseth he his horns, they rouse
In the dun brakes; and pierce with thrilling shafts.
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Or sleuth men fóllow, in valley, in wold and brake;
Whereon they light, of other beast of chace.
Or founden slough, where newly wallowed hath
Some bristled boar: come nigh his covert lair,
In forest side; lie grimly under briar,
With lamping eyes, a great túsked swine they see.
Who boldest then hím unhárbour; they him gore:
That their hounds gores and throweth. And him they slay;
That rusheth felly, upon their flint-head spears.
Whereon they light, of other beast of chace.
Or founden slough, where newly wallowed hath
Some bristled boar: come nigh his covert lair,
In forest side; lie grimly under briar,
With lamping eyes, a great túsked swine they see.
Who boldest then hím unhárbour; they him gore:
That their hounds gores and throweth. And him they slay;
That rusheth felly, upon their flint-head spears.
Each hunte now follows his familiar hound;
Ere wolf-whelp, that had taken his hand and tamed.
Serves the beasts grovelling sense; that drinketh up
The reek in wind, where any prey hath passed;
His masters need.
Ere wolf-whelp, that had taken his hand and tamed.
Serves the beasts grovelling sense; that drinketh up
The reek in wind, where any prey hath passed;
His masters need.
An hollow roving reed,
Was Mans first arrow. A child, opinion is;
Mongst his fond pastimes at the Winter-hearth,
The bow first found; and even to fledge his shaft.
Was Mans first arrow. A child, opinion is;
Mongst his fond pastimes at the Winter-hearth,
The bow first found; and even to fledge his shaft.
Mans bow-stave, a well-chosen ashen bough;
Or elm, or else, (to be of pith,) of yew;
To measure of Mans height, is featly wrought.
When he would shoot, he it spans, with steady pulse,
Before his breast: casting up tufted grass,
He marks how stands the wind. He, his quarry seen,
The spended nerve draws úp to his páps, with force:
And loost, his well nockt shaft flees wingéd forth.
Or elm, or else, (to be of pith,) of yew;
To measure of Mans height, is featly wrought.
When he would shoot, he it spans, with steady pulse,
Before his breast: casting up tufted grass,
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The spended nerve draws úp to his páps, with force:
And loost, his well nockt shaft flees wingéd forth.
Man wont then bear in hand a polished spear,
At home; or else two well-poised nimble javelins;
Headed with flint, or hardened with flames' breath:
(Lies all without yet salvage wilderness!)
And some years happeth, when snow, in Winter waste,
Is drifted deep; his door-sill is beset,
Of wolves, that howl down from bleak frozen hills.
Sith, for more surety, and being his kind increased;
At home; or else two well-poised nimble javelins;
Headed with flint, or hardened with flames' breath:
(Lies all without yet salvage wilderness!)
And some years happeth, when snow, in Winter waste,
Is drifted deep; his door-sill is beset,
Of wolves, that howl down from bleak frozen hills.
Man dwells, by kinships, in Earths open field:
Whereof cause is an heavenly gift Man hath;
That hath none other creature which bears life.
Voice those have without speech: but Man hath learned
Words, twixt his throat ánd quivering tongue, to frame;
Tokening the senses of his inward mind;
(What-though was erst his utterance weak and rude:)
Which, as to face, face answereth in a glass;
Of man his semblable, should be understood.
Whence can now mány unite to óne intent,
Their common force.
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Moreover; for instrument of his quickening thought.
Man o'er all fallow creatures prevails thus;
And one by one subdues them to his service.
Housewives, in those days, find; of diverse kinds
Of grain, which ripens in Earths field, to glean:
And bray, and to bake cakes upon their hearths:
Or else in clayen pots, (then lately found,
Fired in the bronds;) they seethe and stir this victual.
Mens households eat thereof, with their broiled flesh:
And dwell sith, without fear of Winter-want.
Of grain, which ripens in Earths field, to glean:
And bray, and to bake cakes upon their hearths:
Or else in clayen pots, (then lately found,
Fired in the bronds;) they seethe and stir this victual.
Mens households eat thereof, with their broiled flesh:
And dwell sith, without fear of Winter-want.
In a new Age, the human kin have learned,
To hew, with mattock, Earth-moulds wilderness ground;
Lies stony untilled, and drinks the rain of heaven:
And seed cast on that broken clod; and reap
The corn which springeth thereof, in Summer season.
To hew, with mattock, Earth-moulds wilderness ground;
Lies stony untilled, and drinks the rain of heaven:
And seed cast on that broken clod; and reap
The corn which springeth thereof, in Summer season.
Now and such already as hunters were, begin
To keepers be of cattle in wild field:
Herding grown calves of kine, their shafts have slain
Before; and kids and lambs of wild hill-flocks.
Lo, where one drives to pasture an horned troop!
And lately an herdwife skill hath found at eve;
To draw their milky udders, with meek hands.
To keepers be of cattle in wild field:
Herding grown calves of kine, their shafts have slain
Before; and kids and lambs of wild hill-flocks.
Lo, where one drives to pasture an horned troop!
And lately an herdwife skill hath found at eve;
To draw their milky udders, with meek hands.
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Yonder, of shepherds' crew, a young man leads,
Out o'er hill-bent, shrill playing on his pipe,
Of fenny reeds, (which music the lad found;)
And follow browsing forth, his fleecy flock.
Out o'er hill-bent, shrill playing on his pipe,
Of fenny reeds, (which music the lad found;)
And follow browsing forth, his fleecy flock.
Go shepherds' daughters, spinning as they wend;
Drawing out yarn, of their sheeps carded fleece;
Wool gathered wide, caught in the thorns and briars:
Which they, come home, will stretch on new found loom;
And sit with shuttle, to weave blanket-cloth.
A housewife was, considered well the weft
Of leaves and warp of bast, found websters' art.
Man hath thus Winter coats and Summer sarks.
Drawing out yarn, of their sheeps carded fleece;
Wool gathered wide, caught in the thorns and briars:
Which they, come home, will stretch on new found loom;
And sit with shuttle, to weave blanket-cloth.
A housewife was, considered well the weft
Of leaves and warp of bast, found websters' art.
Man hath thus Winter coats and Summer sarks.
Of Man, born naked, on Step-Mother lap,
This mould of Earth; were such first witty arts.
Guest of a day of Eternity, grown more ripe;
He now towards heaven uplifts his feeble spirits.
Mans soul enquires, in his amazed blind thought;
Ben not there Gods on loft, that help or hurt?
Of souls health, and how might he approach the Gods?
This mould of Earth; were such first witty arts.
Guest of a day of Eternity, grown more ripe;
He now towards heaven uplifts his feeble spirits.
Mans soul enquires, in his amazed blind thought;
Ben not there Gods on loft, that help or hurt?
Of souls health, and how might he approach the Gods?
A Priest-King those days was, of human flock,
Father of counsel, meek, of lofty thought:
Whose spirit athirst, Will of the Gods enquires;
Ensearcheth, in Worlds darkness, righteous laws.
Father of counsel, meek, of lofty thought:
Whose spirit athirst, Will of the Gods enquires;
Ensearcheth, in Worlds darkness, righteous laws.
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His flesh. Whence, well accepted of high Gods;
They, in heavenly vision, lead him by the hand:
And show him, how hath Heaven engendered laws;
Whereby hangs bound the regiment of the World,
And to hím they impárt a sacred Discipline;
With charge, to teach it to the sons of men.
And Time was now grown old upon Earths face;
When Titans quicken, from long marble trance.
Returned; their dœmons rouse those frozen trunks:
They chace long torpor from their marble breasts.
When Titans quicken, from long marble trance.
Returned; their dœmons rouse those frozen trunks:
They chace long torpor from their marble breasts.
Leaned to World-mountains flanks, those immane chide:
That gaze, with sidelong looks, out o'er Earth-plot;
Bending their whinstone brows, in froward mood.
And their tremendous elemental voice;
Like roaring cataracts, seemed to shake the World.
That gaze, with sidelong looks, out o'er Earth-plot;
Bending their whinstone brows, in froward mood.
And their tremendous elemental voice;
Like roaring cataracts, seemed to shake the World.
Was then, from under that World-mountains flanks,
Hid from bright Eye of heaven, One issues forth:
Whose ravelled long white hair-locks blowing loost;
Not human, though conformable were Her feature
Unto mans shape, yet being of Titan-stature.
Such, of blanched solemn looks; whose nether parts
Murk clóud shrouds, stands lo immútable antique Fate:
Stands under Sun and stars, lo, on Worlds coast!
Hid from bright Eye of heaven, One issues forth:
Whose ravelled long white hair-locks blowing loost;
Not human, though conformable were Her feature
Unto mans shape, yet being of Titan-stature.
Such, of blanched solemn looks; whose nether parts
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Stands under Sun and stars, lo, on Worlds coast!
Fate, unborn Daughter of Eternity: of Her,
Is told, in the priests' mystic Temple-chants:
She lapsed like Voice, from everlasting height;
What day Mid-Earth was founded, and laid floor,
Neath stars; this mould, whereon we mortals tread.
Priests further réad; how ón World-mountains brinks;
Fate, ín a divine vortex, storm-cast was.
Is told, in the priests' mystic Temple-chants:
She lapsed like Voice, from everlasting height;
What day Mid-Earth was founded, and laid floor,
Neath stars; this mould, whereon we mortals tread.
Priests further réad; how ón World-mountains brinks;
Fate, ín a divine vortex, storm-cast was.
Neath those derne rocks sequestered, Her abode
Hath Fate henceforth: where bodily substance clothed
Vapours of Earth, on Her immortal part.
Hath Fate henceforth: where bodily substance clothed
Vapours of Earth, on Her immortal part.
Eternal Doom, before the Gods She was.
What though be here Her Oracle, on Earths shore:
Whence Her Word sways, (which a cold Breath of stars;)
Tides and occasions, good and evil hap;
Yet everywhere Fate is. The vaulted skies,
The air, the desolate wastes of Earth-Worlds Face;
And watery fields of sea-deeps wilderness:
Be subject unto Her. All full they are
Of Fates august Aspect, and infinite Voice.
What though be here Her Oracle, on Earths shore:
Whence Her Word sways, (which a cold Breath of stars;)
Tides and occasions, good and evil hap;
Yet everywhere Fate is. The vaulted skies,
The air, the desolate wastes of Earth-Worlds Face;
And watery fields of sea-deeps wilderness:
Be subject unto Her. All full they are
Of Fates august Aspect, and infinite Voice.
The dread wolf-riding Norns, from Her proceed;
Whose hoary daughters be ten thousand Weirds.
A Weird awaits, on every human birth;
Which unto each, with smiles or crooked looks;
Allots, which men call Hap, his several part.
Whose hoary daughters be ten thousand Weirds.
A Weird awaits, on every human birth;
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Allots, which men call Hap, his several part.
Howbeit, her hand strains javelin; with intent
To slay him in the end: dart aye stretcht forth!
He feels already her chill pursuing breath,
Upon his neck, in strife of his mid-course.
Aye, and if one hasten her, hím She will abet.
To slay him in the end: dart aye stretcht forth!
He feels already her chill pursuing breath,
Upon his neck, in strife of his mid-course.
Aye, and if one hasten her, hím She will abet.
Fate, upon whom is fallen prophetic spirit;
Lifting íron pálms, dark and dread things proclaims.
Her Voice thrills Titans' ears. Fates utterance is
A manner elemental speech; whose sound,
Likens Seas wandering bruit, on wave-scourged rocks.
Lifting íron pálms, dark and dread things proclaims.
Her Voice thrills Titans' ears. Fates utterance is
A manner elemental speech; whose sound,
Likens Seas wandering bruit, on wave-scourged rocks.
Dark-browed, inscrútable; óf mens Gods, she warns:
Gainst Whom may not prevail might of Earths sons.
And that new Nation, amongst fleshborn kinds:
The human flock; which hath already obtained
Dominion, over beasts of valley and hill.
Moreo'er is Destiny; should be vast Earth-mould,
By Man subdued.
Gainst Whom may not prevail might of Earths sons.
And that new Nation, amongst fleshborn kinds:
The human flock; which hath already obtained
Dominion, over beasts of valley and hill.
Moreo'er is Destiny; should be vast Earth-mould,
By Man subdued.
Are men of upright shape,
Like to themselves: though fading as a leaf,
Of few days' life; yet nurselings of the Gods.
Let them alone! for whom, heavens Gods will fight.
Wherethrough, quoth Fate, should bounden at the last;
Be subject made to Man, their Father Force.
Like to themselves: though fading as a leaf,
Of few days' life; yet nurselings of the Gods.
Let them alone! for whom, heavens Gods will fight.
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Be subject made to Man, their Father Force.
Being Titans come to conscience of themselves;
Brute fury invades them, líke a búrning torch!
Bellowing loud confuse cries; in manner of
Monstrous complaint, (which hath not heretofore
Heard Earth nor Air:) they roll in 'sdainful mood,
In rocky bosoms; how, for aught Fate saith:
(Can none of all those things, Fate testifieth,
Them rightly move; for bowels have they of stone:)
Might Titans tread men groundlings, underfoot;
And Sea-gulf, which betwixt them lies, o'erpass.
The kindred of Man first must be destroyed:
Since can his prayers bring Gods down from their spheres.
Brute fury invades them, líke a búrning torch!
Bellowing loud confuse cries; in manner of
Monstrous complaint, (which hath not heretofore
Heard Earth nor Air:) they roll in 'sdainful mood,
In rocky bosoms; how, for aught Fate saith:
(Can none of all those things, Fate testifieth,
Them rightly move; for bowels have they of stone:)
Might Titans tread men groundlings, underfoot;
And Sea-gulf, which betwixt them lies, o'erpass.
The kindred of Man first must be destroyed:
Since can his prayers bring Gods down from their spheres.
All bind them then, with a tremendous curse:
By Sky above; great Mother, Middle-Earth;
Hell-Deep beneath, and Eagors Ocean-flood!
Together to contend, with men and Gods:
Which, from on-high, the kind of men defend.
By Sky above; great Mother, Middle-Earth;
Hell-Deep beneath, and Eagors Ocean-flood!
Together to contend, with men and Gods:
Which, from on-high, the kind of men defend.
Earth-Mother heard Her first-born Childrens voice:
And swelling in Her pride Her Gulf beneath,
As with new birth-pang were; She shook from off
Her constrained Breast, which with their needs partakes,
Much burden of main Sea-deeps wide waters' flood;
And shed to either part. And, in that place,
Dry cragged brow appeared and floor of rocks;
Like as vast causeway wild, twixt Mainland were,
And Manholms shore; which Isle thenceforth no more.
And swelling in Her pride Her Gulf beneath,
As with new birth-pang were; She shook from off
Her constrained Breast, which with their needs partakes,
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And shed to either part. And, in that place,
Dry cragged brow appeared and floor of rocks;
Like as vast causeway wild, twixt Mainland were,
And Manholms shore; which Isle thenceforth no more.
Quickens their marble joints, whiles Titans gaze,
Immortal pulse: some grúdge in their hoarse throats;
(As their indwelling dœmons them inspire,)
To the elemental wayward Winds; in part,
(Which blow out o'er wide compass of Earths dust;)
Of Titan-kin.
Immortal pulse: some grúdge in their hoarse throats;
(As their indwelling dœmons them inspire,)
To the elemental wayward Winds; in part,
(Which blow out o'er wide compass of Earths dust;)
Of Titan-kin.
Poised those from aery loft;
Grant thitherward to fly forth, for their behoof:
And knowledge take of mortal ways and works.
Grant thitherward to fly forth, for their behoof:
And knowledge take of mortal ways and works.
Have Winds Wind-home, large crystal shelf, above
The cloudy rack, for their abiding-place;
Whither, from time to time, those wont resort:
And where they assémble, each thírd Móon, unto Feast.
The cloudy rack, for their abiding-place;
Whither, from time to time, those wont resort:
And where they assémble, each thírd Móon, unto Feast.
Who hawk-winged, his stiff feathers erst displays;
Is the North Wind, shrill piercing as a dart.
And so he hastily, o'er Earths green breast and seas,
Him speeds; that he anon raught Manholms craigs:
Where blasts his rime-cold breath all tender buds;
And hangs the forest boughs, with bearded frost,
And ícícles. The herb and Worlds tilled field,
He mars; and seals all brooks, with scab of ice:
And mourn in frozen pastures, herds and flocks.
Is the North Wind, shrill piercing as a dart.
And so he hastily, o'er Earths green breast and seas,
Him speeds; that he anon raught Manholms craigs:
Where blasts his rime-cold breath all tender buds;
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And ícícles. The herb and Worlds tilled field,
He mars; and seals all brooks, with scab of ice:
And mourn in frozen pastures, herds and flocks.
Men shut-to their cote-doors. Who found without;
Unwont to Winters spite, look now for death.
All crooked in the blast, with withered looks;
Trembling in their poor weed, they haste to house.
Unwont to Winters spite, look now for death.
All crooked in the blast, with withered looks;
Trembling in their poor weed, they haste to house.
Outblown the North Winds wrath: surged, heavy as swan,
Murk wild West Wind, storm-footed from Seas flood;
With drift of mighty vans, weaving waves' Breast.
And to him gathering his spersed headlong gusts,
From under heaven; wherein ride Spirits of Tempest:
He in fury out-blustering hurls. Blots his foul breath
All cheerful brightness of the day aloft.
Murk wild West Wind, storm-footed from Seas flood;
With drift of mighty vans, weaving waves' Breast.
And to him gathering his spersed headlong gusts,
From under heaven; wherein ride Spirits of Tempest:
He in fury out-blustering hurls. Blots his foul breath
All cheerful brightness of the day aloft.
He rúins on fórest brink of Manholms cliff;
And roaring bears, with burden of salvage blasts,
Down, rinded pines, oaks staggering, rooted ash,
And antique elms, outrageous; to dimmed Earths
Dust. Nothing can, wherein is life, resist
His madding force. Their footing cattle keep,
In field, uneath: mens cabans stand unroofed!
Flood then his troubled skies of water-drops,
Outpour; and seems the World distempered fen,
The while. Then, as he rose, decays his force.
He droops; and presently failing, dies dispersed.
But when the Sun is up; a mildew springeth,
And blast, on all green thing, where passed his Breath.
And roaring bears, with burden of salvage blasts,
Down, rinded pines, oaks staggering, rooted ash,
And antique elms, outrageous; to dimmed Earths
Dust. Nothing can, wherein is life, resist
His madding force. Their footing cattle keep,
In field, uneath: mens cabans stand unroofed!
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Outpour; and seems the World distempered fen,
The while. Then, as he rose, decays his force.
He droops; and presently failing, dies dispersed.
But when the Sun is up; a mildew springeth,
And blast, on all green thing, where passed his Breath.
In swift career, scours homicide tarte East Wind,
Keen soughing forth. The cloud-stained Element
Sweeps bare: seemed then of steel the firmament!
So soar his hissing wings, o'er hills, o'er seas;
He seemeth a shaft, as hastily forth he flies.
Keen soughing forth. The cloud-stained Element
Sweeps bare: seemed then of steel the firmament!
So soar his hissing wings, o'er hills, o'er seas;
He seemeth a shaft, as hastily forth he flies.
Nów amongst Mánholms forest cliffs, he whines,
Malignant spirit; with whom Contagion rides.
Eftsoon, on wild woods' creaking arms, he plays,
As on some many-stringéd mighty harp.
Before him scud burst boughs' sere rustling leaves.
Malignant spirit; with whom Contagion rides.
Eftsoon, on wild woods' creaking arms, he plays,
As on some many-stringéd mighty harp.
Before him scud burst boughs' sere rustling leaves.
With eager onset, on mens World, he rushed!
Where wights go lean and wan and blow their nails.
Fall from his feathers stony water-drops.
He all human paths, in cankered mood, surveys.
Within their doors, he made to faint mens hearts:
So passed; and World left wrapped in wretchedness.
Where wights go lean and wan and blow their nails.
Fall from his feathers stony water-drops.
He all human paths, in cankered mood, surveys.
Within their doors, he made to faint mens hearts:
So passed; and World left wrapped in wretchedness.
34
From swart three-headed mount, wafts smooth South Wind
Her gentle pens, in semblant of a dove.
And crown from those high towers, of sacred snows,
Loost her warm tempered breath. Gurgle afresh
Long-silent brooks, late cloyed with Winter frost;
And leap down rumbling, to World-mountains foot.
Her gentle pens, in semblant of a dove.
And crown from those high towers, of sacred snows,
Loost her warm tempered breath. Gurgle afresh
Long-silent brooks, late cloyed with Winter frost;
And leap down rumbling, to World-mountains foot.
Her gracious feathers, whence flows fostering Breath;
Her bear, with easy flight, out o'er green Earth.
Eachwhere She glides, the Sunborn flowers unfold:
Fair daisy, diadem'd with a silver fret;
The nodding windflower, party white and red:
And twinkling goldilócks uplift their heads.
Her bear, with easy flight, out o'er green Earth.
Eachwhere She glides, the Sunborn flowers unfold:
Fair daisy, diadem'd with a silver fret;
The nodding windflower, party white and red:
And twinkling goldilócks uplift their heads.
Eachwhere she blissful stoops; do manifold kiss
Her feathers, all green spires of springing grass:
They clip about Her running vermeil feet;
Where she alights. Her kindly Breath it is,
That weaves the woods, and makes all boughs to bud;
Which stoop to Her caress.
Her feathers, all green spires of springing grass:
They clip about Her running vermeil feet;
Where she alights. Her kindly Breath it is,
That weaves the woods, and makes all boughs to bud;
Which stoop to Her caress.
Men wend again
Glad-eyed forth from their doors, in the Worlds paths.
Man greets well man, in solace of their hearts;
Whiles even the agéd feel revive their force.
Glad-eyed forth from their doors, in the Worlds paths.
Man greets well man, in solace of their hearts;
Whiles even the agéd feel revive their force.
In happy hour, in their best garments trim;
All issue to the fields, (bright shines the Sun!)
Where rime-white blows the thorn, and eglantine
Breathes. There in mirth and gladness, children sing,
Gathering sweet posies, Spring is comen in!
35
Where rime-white blows the thorn, and eglantine
Breathes. There in mirth and gladness, children sing,
Gathering sweet posies, Spring is comen in!
Green plot amidst is place of most resort,
Where lads and lasses dance before the gods;
Adorned with lilies' pride, their sunbright locks:
Which mingles on their shoulders the Winds' spirit.
Where lads and lasses dance before the gods;
Adorned with lilies' pride, their sunbright locks:
Which mingles on their shoulders the Winds' spirit.
Returned from their career, the former Winds;
Sitting on pens of that three-headed mount;
Their whistling wings fold, as they weary were;
Whence now had ebbed forth their World-wasting breath:
And three swart ravens seemed, that hold discourse,
With impious voice.
Sitting on pens of that three-headed mount;
Their whistling wings fold, as they weary were;
Whence now had ebbed forth their World-wasting breath:
And three swart ravens seemed, that hold discourse,
With impious voice.
Say those, of human kin;
They love them not. All flesh-born wights them cursed,
Whiles that they passed. Mantling his swart wet pens,
West Wind, who chides and snores, as in thick woods;
Last spake, from his high see, in scowling sort.
He had shrieking dœmons heard say, above the blast:
(Their voices filled vast region of the loft;)
Through Mans kin, should confounded be the Earth.
They love them not. All flesh-born wights them cursed,
Whiles that they passed. Mantling his swart wet pens,
West Wind, who chides and snores, as in thick woods;
Last spake, from his high see, in scowling sort.
He had shrieking dœmons heard say, above the blast:
(Their voices filled vast region of the loft;)
Through Mans kin, should confounded be the Earth.
36
All hearken, whiles with fell and crabbed breath,
He gave his Counsel thus. Ye Winds! I read,
We our weathers league, great well-affied Wind-flood;
(As Brothers ere, in Earths beginning, was:)
Whose whirling ruin nothing can resist.
So may we rend the skies, wherein mens Gods
Harbour; and stooped from thence, o'erthrow the World.
He gave his Counsel thus. Ye Winds! I read,
We our weathers league, great well-affied Wind-flood;
(As Brothers ere, in Earths beginning, was:)
Whose whirling ruin nothing can resist.
So may we rend the skies, wherein mens Gods
Harbour; and stooped from thence, o'erthrow the World.
Thereunto those consent, but contrarywise,
Sitting apart, cries South Wind, of mild mood;
(Which towards the Family of man, a kindness hath;)
Preening the while Her gracious feathered breast,
Sáying; áll wights had blessed Her, where She passed.
Sitting apart, cries South Wind, of mild mood;
(Which towards the Family of man, a kindness hath;)
Preening the while Her gracious feathered breast,
Sáying; áll wights had blessed Her, where She passed.
The green herb, mantle of Earths mould; She joys
To surview daily; and smell this, from on loft,
New Spring-tide sweetness of the flowery field;
Whose daisies' pride, now manifold as the stars.
Whose trees not less, (and blossomed is the bough
She there beholds;) She cherisheth with Her breath:
That to Her incline their tufted leafy locks.
But most; She all little ones, of Earths birds and beasts:
And now of Mans kin likewise, inly loveth.
To surview daily; and smell this, from on loft,
New Spring-tide sweetness of the flowery field;
Whose daisies' pride, now manifold as the stars.
Whose trees not less, (and blossomed is the bough
She there beholds;) She cherisheth with Her breath:
That to Her incline their tufted leafy locks.
But most; She all little ones, of Earths birds and beasts:
And now of Mans kin likewise, inly loveth.
Winds' Voice, fallen from cloud-cliffs, to Titans' ears;
More vehement purpose wakes, in their numb breasts.
Indwelling dœmons, speaking through their mouths:
Call then by name, from confines of the Element;
Unto them, certain lesser hoving spirits:
To whom they give in charge, to seek farforth
The Father of Highseas' wide wandering wilderness;
And aid of Him enquire, in their Emprise.
More vehement purpose wakes, in their numb breasts.
37
Call then by name, from confines of the Element;
Unto them, certain lesser hoving spirits:
To whom they give in charge, to seek farforth
The Father of Highseas' wide wandering wilderness;
And aid of Him enquire, in their Emprise.
Eagor
have our eld-fathers named Floods God:
Whose currents hoary all Middle-Earth enfold.
Whose brim, which His tempestuous salt-tide hems,
Whereon He leans, (weak bars to shut Him in;)
Waste strand is, that his surges heapt before;
Of his own pébble-stones and small grinded sand.
Whose currents hoary all Middle-Earth enfold.
Whose brim, which His tempestuous salt-tide hems,
Whereon He leans, (weak bars to shut Him in;)
Waste strand is, that his surges heapt before;
Of his own pébble-stones and small grinded sand.
In sounding watery caves, through each blue gulf;
(Whereas from time to time, Seas Sire wont sleep;
And rise, all-bearded with brown tangle-wrack,
At midday.) And thence, through paths of Main-sea Deep,
Still those seek forth: but find him not. They last;
Then in deep wick, twixt billow-buffeted cliffs,
Which seem to fleet, found rising the Sea-God.
38
Eagor, in Whirlpit, mighty waters' fret;
Lo! amidst hoarse retinue of windy tumbling billows;
And barking sealhounds' stinking herd; and bleak-
Winged cleping aery seamews' multitude.
Lo! amidst hoarse retinue of windy tumbling billows;
And barking sealhounds' stinking herd; and bleak-
Winged cleping aery seamews' multitude.
Those beckon! (cannot Eagor hear their voices!)
Blowing his whelky conch then, the Sea-God
Stilled wild waste watery tumult of salt flood.
Sith, full of blustering guile, he boisterous asks;
What mean they? And shook much drizzling brine from off
His sidelong beard and watchet locks.
Blowing his whelky conch then, the Sea-God
Stilled wild waste watery tumult of salt flood.
Sith, full of blustering guile, he boisterous asks;
What mean they? And shook much drizzling brine from off
His sidelong beard and watchet locks.
His cheer,
On Bosom lifted of salt streaming Tide;
Such seemed as rising Moon, which filled Her horns;
On border leans, a moment, of Earths land.
On Bosom lifted of salt streaming Tide;
Such seemed as rising Moon, which filled Her horns;
On border leans, a moment, of Earths land.
In salvage mood, great Eagor gazed around!
And the much-knowing Father of Seas flood,
About the World that runs: (those craggéd cliffs
Rebellow His main voice!) requires of each;
What would they?
And the much-knowing Father of Seas flood,
About the World that runs: (those craggéd cliffs
Rebellow His main voice!) requires of each;
What would they?
And they outcry, amidst the tumult,
Of wind and waves; we are Titans' Messengers,
Sent hither! Wilt Thou leagued with them, with whom
Joined Tempest of three Winds, gainst men and Gods;
(Gods that usurp dominion of dry land!)
Contend, in day of battle-strife that cometh?
If thus, tide forth: and whelm now Thy waves' Breast,
O'er Manholms coast.
Of wind and waves; we are Titans' Messengers,
Sent hither! Wilt Thou leagued with them, with whom
Joined Tempest of three Winds, gainst men and Gods;
39
Contend, in day of battle-strife that cometh?
If thus, tide forth: and whelm now Thy waves' Breast,
O'er Manholms coast.
Disdaining, Seas God spake;
Smirch my fair streams with ooze, and mirey warp!
What reck I of Man, more than of other kinds,
Offspring of Earths dry land; or of Heavens Powers!
Or yonder crystal Firmament was spended,
And Heaven framed, habitation of new Gods;
And on seven adamant pillars, leaned upstayed;
I Eagor was.
Smirch my fair streams with ooze, and mirey warp!
What reck I of Man, more than of other kinds,
Offspring of Earths dry land; or of Heavens Powers!
Or yonder crystal Firmament was spended,
And Heaven framed, habitation of new Gods;
And on seven adamant pillars, leaned upstayed;
I Eagor was.
It is not they uplifted
Have lately Sea-deeps floor, in my despite,
From Hells abyss; whereby sharp wounding craigs
My sides have pierced. Yet, for my hoist sea-ground,
I reck not, though sink Manholm in its stead.
But what be ye? I will not hear your voice.
Have lately Sea-deeps floor, in my despite,
From Hells abyss; whereby sharp wounding craigs
My sides have pierced. Yet, for my hoist sea-ground,
I reck not, though sink Manholm in its stead.
But what be ye? I will not hear your voice.
He said, with great tumultuous headlong looks:
And, midst wild wave-rows, Eagor stoopt; which o'er
Seas God, close! Gone he is to glistering Hall,
Of Ran; whither fare souls of all drowned men.
And, midst wild wave-rows, Eagor stoopt; which o'er
Seas God, close! Gone he is to glistering Hall,
Of Ran; whither fare souls of all drowned men.
Ran is named Eagors wife. And She it is, who in a divine net, ravisheth unto Her all souls of drownéd men.
40
Those Spirits, which sit in likeness of sea-cobs,
On squalid foreland, fringed with slimy wrack;
With taunting tongues, revile Deeps parting God.
They cry, Thou fleest, for all Thy blustering boast!
Who hath nót heard tell, amongst terrestrial Spirits;
How poured out liest Thou, in Thy Mother's Lap!
(Seeing Earth Thy Mother is, Dotard!) of Thy wantonness.
On squalid foreland, fringed with slimy wrack;
With taunting tongues, revile Deeps parting God.
They cry, Thou fleest, for all Thy blustering boast!
Who hath nót heard tell, amongst terrestrial Spirits;
How poured out liest Thou, in Thy Mother's Lap!
(Seeing Earth Thy Mother is, Dotard!) of Thy wantonness.
Moon-led, wind-ridden, Flood trembling at each breath!
In all Thy vague illimitable wilderness;
Streams wandering ever and arriving never!
Brine that Thou art, false sands, base filthy slime!
(Aye and Serpent art Thou named and the World-worm!)
There none, with Thee, would willingly consort.
In all Thy vague illimitable wilderness;
Streams wandering ever and arriving never!
Brine that Thou art, false sands, base filthy slime!
(Aye and Serpent art Thou named and the World-worm!)
There none, with Thee, would willingly consort.
Sought other dœmon-sent swift Messenger-Spirits;
To the elemental Fire, whom Master-smith
Men call: but Gods name Spirit of Earths-abyss.
Midst flaming caverns, of Hell-Deep beneath;
Where, semblable to a subtle Wind, they passed:
Those Surtur, divine smith, found whom they sought:
To the elemental Fire, whom Master-smith
Men call: but Gods name Spirit of Earths-abyss.
Midst flaming caverns, of Hell-Deep beneath;
Where, semblable to a subtle Wind, they passed:
Those Surtur, divine smith, found whom they sought:
Find, standing in much thick uprolling smoke;
A chapelet on his head of fiery light;
In iron abysmal Pit, whereas he wrought.
Great stang of steel, his right hand wields, red-hot,
In part; His left holds rake, that seemeth of brass.
He a mighty bellows labours with His feet.
41
In iron abysmal Pit, whereas he wrought.
Great stang of steel, his right hand wields, red-hot,
In part; His left holds rake, that seemeth of brass.
He a mighty bellows labours with His feet.
Deposed those tools, he anon a sledge uptakes:
Whose great strokes fall, with measured mighty dint,
On well-tuned anvil. His left, iron bar, pluckt
Forth from the coals, under his hammer wrests;
Wherefrom he a shower of fiery flakes beats forth.
Surtur new lever forges; to uplift
Hills by the roots: and at their times prefixt,
Again o'erthrow.
Whose great strokes fall, with measured mighty dint,
On well-tuned anvil. His left, iron bar, pluckt
Forth from the coals, under his hammer wrests;
Wherefrom he a shower of fiery flakes beats forth.
Surtur new lever forges; to uplift
Hills by the roots: and at their times prefixt,
Again o'erthrow.
His Travail, the God stints;
Viewed those strange Messengers! and attends their speech.
Which understood, brief answer Surtur makes:
Would not he fail them, come that day of strife.
He, of Titan kin, would burn with fire the World:
Whence His flames, mounting higher, should consume,
In the heavens; the habitacles of mens Gods.
Viewed those strange Messengers! and attends their speech.
Which understood, brief answer Surtur makes:
Would not he fail them, come that day of strife.
He, of Titan kin, would burn with fire the World:
Whence His flames, mounting higher, should consume,
In the heavens; the habitacles of mens Gods.
Were other Messengers to the Sun-Sire sent.
Light of the Earth, they found Him issuing forth,
Midst glad consent of birds, and melody on height;
(Seemed some celestial Music of the Spheres!)
Upon that sovereign Majesty of the Gods face,
Durst not those look.
Light of the Earth, they found Him issuing forth,
42
(Seemed some celestial Music of the Spheres!)
Upon that sovereign Majesty of the Gods face,
Durst not those look.
Unto their halting speech,
Answered, but not with words of wights, Suns Spirit;
From His ascending fulgent fire-wheeled chariot:
(And seemed an hymn of heaven, Suns arcane voice!)
Answered, but not with words of wights, Suns Spirit;
From His ascending fulgent fire-wheeled chariot:
(And seemed an hymn of heaven, Suns arcane voice!)
It liketh me well, eách day Mans World to view:
Kin only, of all Lifes breath, which on round Earth;
Their reverent palms, towards mine uprising lift:
And worship, towards mine high meridian warmth,
What hour I pause. And yet, when even is,
Hour of my going-down, to rest beneath.
Kin only, of all Lifes breath, which on round Earth;
Their reverent palms, towards mine uprising lift:
And worship, towards mine high meridian warmth,
What hour I pause. And yet, when even is,
Hour of my going-down, to rest beneath.
By heavens high Throne, above all that is named;
Committed, to my Godhed, was this path.
With Titans of Earth-clot, hath Sun no part.
With Gods on loft, Sun sooner kinship hath.
Thus saying, Sun swiftly ascending, from them passed.
Committed, to my Godhed, was this path.
With Titans of Earth-clot, hath Sun no part.
With Gods on loft, Sun sooner kinship hath.
Thus saying, Sun swiftly ascending, from them passed.
Came other Messengers, to husht covert Night.
They in lofty sliding shadow, of dew-steeped Earth;
Where She holds sway o'er múrk-winged ínfinite ghosts,
(Her phantom host,) Night sullen shrouded found:
(Might, in Her zone, the heavenly sígns be read!)
They in lofty sliding shadow, of dew-steeped Earth;
Where She holds sway o'er múrk-winged ínfinite ghosts,
(Her phantom host,) Night sullen shrouded found:
43
They stood for fear far off, and Night beheld!
Who, Mother boasts Her of the former Gods:
Séeing Nights Womb-Gulf wás, ere stars were named;
That lofty Bosom of the Universe.
Who, Mother boasts Her of the former Gods:
Séeing Nights Womb-Gulf wás, ere stars were named;
That lofty Bosom of the Universe.
Cloud-helmed; in stature, She the skies transcends.
Hell-browed, of heinous dreadful countenance,
Is Night unhold; which waxeth, whiles day wanes:
And whelms deceitful dread, on an husht World.
She, in bleak silent watches, felon walks;
And meditating crimes, is no mans friend.
Might Night not half: yet seemed She, Her shoulder turning;
To assent in part, with dark dissembling nod.
Hell-browed, of heinous dreadful countenance,
Is Night unhold; which waxeth, whiles day wanes:
And whelms deceitful dread, on an husht World.
She, in bleak silent watches, felon walks;
And meditating crimes, is no mans friend.
Might Night not half: yet seemed She, Her shoulder turning;
To assent in part, with dark dissembling nod.
Sought other to vain kingdom of moist clouds;
Skys unstaied flocks, without continuance:
Whereof there hang some, on World-mountains flanks;
In guise of flocs of wool, caught in the thorns.
Skys unstaied flocks, without continuance:
Whereof there hang some, on World-mountains flanks;
In guise of flocs of wool, caught in the thorns.
Some, (which pavilions of air-riding spirits;)
Are listed, as with gold, and dyed in blood.
Other swart-hewed, fleet, big with tempests' wreak.
Udders of heaven some are. Wind-driven the most
Fleet, changeful daughters of the liquid loft;
With tawny outblown locks. Some reared on height,
Seem steepy uprolling hills of snow: but hardly
Endure till morrows day.
Are listed, as with gold, and dyed in blood.
Other swart-hewed, fleet, big with tempests' wreak.
Udders of heaven some are. Wind-driven the most
44
With tawny outblown locks. Some reared on height,
Seem steepy uprolling hills of snow: but hardly
Endure till morrows day.
Much stormy rack
Gathers those Messengers round. Clouds have no mouth,
Wherein is speech: but loudly rumbling! riven
With lightning tongues; seemed they to grant their asking.
Gathers those Messengers round. Clouds have no mouth,
Wherein is speech: but loudly rumbling! riven
With lightning tongues; seemed they to grant their asking.
Tumble, léven-split, with fár resounding ruin!
Of that three-headed mount, pinnacles to Earths Plain.
Brake sudden then ímpious shout, from Titans' throats;
Blaspheming Heaven!
Of that three-headed mount, pinnacles to Earths Plain.
Brake sudden then ímpious shout, from Titans' throats;
Blaspheming Heaven!
Even Surtur, át his hearth,
Startled deep under Earth; and sledge and tongs,
Flung; which fell far forth clattering from his hands.
Startled deep under Earth; and sledge and tongs,
Flung; which fell far forth clattering from his hands.
In that the Smith-God leapt aside; brúnt burst
Of his courbe shoulder, Eárths wide floor above,
Of living rock; and hoist Her infirm mould:
Whose infinite chinks let forth then diverse kinds,
Of creeping vermin strange.
Of his courbe shoulder, Eárths wide floor above,
Of living rock; and hoist Her infirm mould:
Whose infinite chinks let forth then diverse kinds,
Of creeping vermin strange.
45
As when mans hand
Haps, labouring in his field, uplift some stone;
Whereunder hundred living loathly shapes,
Lie writhing, in dank bed, revealed to view.
So, in thousand clefts, Earths field discloses now;
Rife brood of griesly creatures; which had lurked
Therein, since Times beginning: where was dust
Their meat, and mire their sorry dwelling-place.
They útter thick, from ground; all haste scape forth!
Nor breathed they vital air, till this new birth.
Haps, labouring in his field, uplift some stone;
Whereunder hundred living loathly shapes,
Lie writhing, in dank bed, revealed to view.
So, in thousand clefts, Earths field discloses now;
Rife brood of griesly creatures; which had lurked
Therein, since Times beginning: where was dust
Their meat, and mire their sorry dwelling-place.
They útter thick, from ground; all haste scape forth!
Nor breathed they vital air, till this new birth.
Some scurry on hundred pairéd horny feet:
On crooked crippling shanks, some sidelong trace.
Rise multitude, more than they, in wild wide waste.
From mould, climb those confusedly, on living heaps;
Riding each other, many as the stalks of grass.
On crooked crippling shanks, some sidelong trace.
Rise multitude, more than they, in wild wide waste.
From mould, climb those confusedly, on living heaps;
Riding each other, many as the stalks of grass.
With three-split tongues, wind hissing basilisks,
Whose only aspect slays. Glide burnisht asps;
With checquered flánks and rólling wreathéd pace.
Most rife, mount scorpions, mongst that hideous press:
That as they sharded run, with lifted croups,
Still threaten baleful stings.
Whose only aspect slays. Glide burnisht asps;
With checquered flánks and rólling wreathéd pace.
Most rife, mount scorpions, mongst that hideous press:
That as they sharded run, with lifted croups,
Still threaten baleful stings.
That monstrous rout,
Have sorted them in swarms, in trains, in troops;
Like unto like! Whilst flow those further forth;
There fell Impúlsion on them, of Earth Powers!
Have sorted them in swarms, in trains, in troops;
46
There fell Impúlsion on them, of Earth Powers!
Long creeping swarms, they ghastful hubbub keep;
Champing of venemous jaws, rattling of scales.
And aye they increase in státure, whíles they march.
Gross-swelled, such as were scorpions, grow sheep-great;
And so of all the remnant, in their kinds.
Champing of venemous jaws, rattling of scales.
And aye they increase in státure, whíles they march.
Gross-swelled, such as were scorpions, grow sheep-great;
And so of all the remnant, in their kinds.
| The Titans | |