University of Virginia Library

I in next chamber, many found assembled;
And listened, in that doorway leaned, to hear;
Their lore. Disputed was, whence Sun and Stars,
Their being had derived. As whether were,
An infinite elemental Mist, the Source;
Of this material visible Universe.
And some there were, who maintained thus; that Earth
From Sun, condensed to a great flaming Bulk;
As clay from Potters wheel, had been whirled-off:
And body of the Moon likewise, from Earth.
Fell ceaseless rains, on molten Earths chilled Round,
Conglobed; and rivers ran down, from all heights;
And became meres, and those to seas increased.
Whose storm-beat boisterous surges, lifted up;
Whelmed on first Lava-cliffs, in cataracts:
And thereto Her great streaming water-courses;
Gnawed much warp forth, in Morning of the World:
Warp, that in countless æons, layed layer on layer;
Was spread mile-deep, on Seas abysmal ground:
Where ages sith, hath hardened it to stone.
And yet is ever full Earths great round Rind;
Of bowels of molten ores, whose swelling force
Is cause that shaken and riven is oft Her face;
Through tension of that planetary dross.
A certain young man standing mongst them spake:
Such day have I in mind of Etnas wrath.
Voices.
We would hear that.

Young Man.