 | The Titans |  |
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BOOK IV
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ARGUMENT
A calm divine descends upon Earth-World. The Sun anew outshines: and wakens human kin. Again, quakes the Earth. And a Voice from skies, warneth that men 'scape forth. The People come without; is much thronging unto their wells. The thousand households march, with their cattle: but pasture is thenceforth daily less and waters hard to find in wilderness. The People reach to a lynn of sweet water, and there rest.
They journey thence, by a sun-stricken desolate waste; wherein they and their beasts begin to faint. Their cattle, which have smelled a far-off breath of water, break from them.
A few men, in whom yet remains strength, follow with water-skins, on their cattles trace. They come unto a flowing river and fruitful palms. They drink and eat: and bear back of that sustenance to their fainting families. And being that victual divinely multiplied, all the camp doth both drink and eat, and is refreshed. The People remove and reach unto the river-side.
In that place is gleaned wild grain; and the People again eat bread. Certain, which have passed over, find a plenteous pleasant soil beyond. The King, with all the People at dawn, pass the rivers ford. They call that good new Land, Eden: and possess it, giving thanks. Gods, well-pleased, manifest themselves, in the skies; in all their sight. Men sow: and sith they reap abundantly; and build them cabans there, ere Winter falls.
Now in the returning year; that good Soil is departed amongst them, by equal lot. A new town riseth. Mens priest-king beholdeth in Vision a sacred Fane. The People found a Temple there; to the likeness of that which their King, in his dream, hath seen.
Seven years it is in building. Their final joyful dedication of the sacred Work. The Gods from heaven, send down their best gifts unto men: Ishtar, the Bright; and hand-in-hand with Her, lo thrice-blessed Peace. Thenceforth Mans kin increaseth. And Mans-Way is called, after mens own name, The World.
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That dreadful conflict now endured. With giants,
Huge Titans lie o'erthrown; vague spirits were bound.
Repair from crystal Rampire then of heaven;
Unto their rests, the everliving Gods:
And calm divine descends upon Earth-mould.
Thick clouds discusst, which long time hid the Sun;
Lifted on wings of light, His Glory again
Outshineth on a dimmed World. That sovereign ray,
Wakens from dream of sleep, the human kin.
Whence flows this bitter reek, which chokes mens breath;
Behold vast climbing smoke! Lingers dread sound,
Of divine battle and blaspheming cries,
In the air, not fully yet dispersed! Their long
Cold hearths; kindle goodwives, with careful hearts.
Lifted on wings of light, His Glory again
Outshineth on a dimmed World. That sovereign ray,
Wakens from dream of sleep, the human kin.
Men fasting faint, gone up on their housetops,
(Of few that yet remain;) Who looketh West-forth,
Whence flows this bitter reek, which chokes mens breath;
Behold vast climbing smoke! Lingers dread sound,
Of divine battle and blaspheming cries,
In the air, not fully yet dispersed! Their long
Cold hearths; kindle goodwives, with careful hearts.
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Men somewhat eat: whereof refreshed their spirits;
Neighbours seek neighbours, friends each other greet.
Whiles men with men, of their afflicted case,
Question; anew quakes the Earth!
Neighbours seek neighbours, friends each other greet.
Whiles men with men, of their afflicted case,
Question; anew quakes the Earth!
Men giddy are,
Then on their street to stare! stagger seems, more
Than ére: the Earth fóunder, and seem nód the stars.
Fáulter their rént house-walls. Men wiss not where
Betake them; where to shield their wives and babes.
Then stout hearts blench, that never quailed before.
Fling hither-thither, startling cattle; and beat
Together their horned fronts.
Then on their street to stare! stagger seems, more
Than ére: the Earth fóunder, and seem nód the stars.
Fáulter their rént house-walls. Men wiss not where
Betake them; where to shield their wives and babes.
Then stout hearts blench, that never quailed before.
Fling hither-thither, startling cattle; and beat
Together their horned fronts.
And yet once more,
Sounded from heaven, and resounded! Voice
Divine, Flee from this death! Throb thick all hearts:
And feel men under them, fugitive, slide their feet.
Sounded from heaven, and resounded! Voice
Divine, Flee from this death! Throb thick all hearts:
And feel men under them, fugitive, slide their feet.
Like as when foot of hasting beast, or heel
Unwares of man, seed-gathering emmots' hill,
Hath razed: a tróubled army of pismire citizens,
And minute workfolk íssue of theír rent State:
Such busy turmoil grows now, in mens street.
Unwares of man, seed-gathering emmots' hill,
Hath razed: a tróubled army of pismire citizens,
And minute workfolk íssue of theír rent State:
Such busy turmoil grows now, in mens street.
Entered their doors in haste: housewives reach forth
Snatcht corn, meal, stuff, from thresholds; men as fast,
On chines bind of their hastily assembled beasts,
Of charge; (which that time were wild asses' colts,
That, taken in field, had hunters fostered up.)
Snatcht corn, meal, stuff, from thresholds; men as fast,
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Of charge; (which that time were wild asses' colts,
That, taken in field, had hunters fostered up.)
Men groan, wives rue, and with their children weep;
To sever thém, from thóse their ruinous hearths.
Already are herdfolk driving forth their stock.
Part the first households: press is soon, to pass!
To sever thém, from thóse their ruinous hearths.
Already are herdfolk driving forth their stock.
Part the first households: press is soon, to pass!
The péople come abroad, is thronging then,
To wells; which partly fail, since quaked the Earth!
To drench the beasts and fill their water-skins.
Toil there young men, with all their might, and sweat;
To draw up, for their households, herds and flocks.
To wells; which partly fail, since quaked the Earth!
To drench the beasts and fill their water-skins.
Toil there young men, with all their might, and sweat;
To draw up, for their households, herds and flocks.
This dures long forth: Sun droops now, from midheight;
When human nation, fugitive, sorrowing march;
With cattle lowing, and with bleating flocks.
When human nation, fugitive, sorrowing march;
With cattle lowing, and with bleating flocks.
Their face, towards wide West wilderness, is set.
Men wot not whither will them lead the Gods;
Which see even rocks removed out of their place!
With pensive hearts, all follow on their Kings trace.
Men wot not whither will them lead the Gods;
Which see even rocks removed out of their place!
With pensive hearts, all follow on their Kings trace.
After the Sun, men stay their wandering steps,
Where he alights. Kindled their supper-fires
Then, of few sticks; all comfort them with food.
Yet shóuted ére men sleep, (that all the camp
Might hear,) is the Kings wórd, by one great-voiced;
Be ready, at morrows star-rise, to remove!
Where he alights. Kindled their supper-fires
Then, of few sticks; all comfort them with food.
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Might hear,) is the Kings wórd, by one great-voiced;
Be ready, at morrows star-rise, to remove!
The Péople upstood ere dáys-red, at new shout
Of the Kings Crier, begin, with confused voice,
To journey. And was, who look back, in that march;
Feel their knees faint: who look before their face,
Increase of strength. Who, fróm hill-brów, gaze forth;
Tempest of whirling flame see, the Red Wind!
(Thus fire our fathers named;) of Gods unchained,
To purge the air: (fíre that ere Gods had bound;)
Reached thereunto, doth burn the former World!
And lay beyónd, much thíck reek, o'er wide ground.
Of the Kings Crier, begin, with confused voice,
To journey. And was, who look back, in that march;
Feel their knees faint: who look before their face,
Increase of strength. Who, fróm hill-brów, gaze forth;
Tempest of whirling flame see, the Red Wind!
(Thus fire our fathers named;) of Gods unchained,
To purge the air: (fíre that ere Gods had bound;)
Reached thereunto, doth burn the former World!
And lay beyónd, much thíck reek, o'er wide ground.
After midday, they come again to wells:
And drench their cattle, and fill their water-skins;
A toilful travail of the herdsmens hands;
Enforcing them with chant. Is that, the last
Known watering to men herdfolk, on this half!
And drench their cattle, and fill their water-skins;
A toilful travail of the herdsmens hands;
Enforcing them with chant. Is that, the last
Known watering to men herdfolk, on this half!
Where lodgeth the Priest-King, under night-stars;
The ancients round his consecrated hearth,
Be gathered to him. Of their forward march;
And of what waters, they might reach henceforth;
They cómmune. And determined is to follow,
Whither their browsing cattle should breast forth.
The ancients round his consecrated hearth,
Be gathered to him. Of their forward march;
And of what waters, they might reach henceforth;
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Whither their browsing cattle should breast forth.
From day to day, men at adventure thus,
Wander; where feed scants, and is daily less:
A sunbeat soil of sand, thorns, thistles, rocks.
And hárdly find they water, whére they pass.
Wander; where feed scants, and is daily less:
A sunbeat soil of sand, thorns, thistles, rocks.
And hárdly find they water, whére they pass.
For such cause, hunters of wild roes; men wont
To sójourn; ánd, men-of-the-field, expert,
To find their lifelode, in waste wilderness:
Do daily seek, for water-springs, wide-where forth;
And are the Peoples eyes, in that waste coast,
Wherein they move; before their starless march.
To sójourn; ánd, men-of-the-field, expert,
To find their lifelode, in waste wilderness:
Do daily seek, for water-springs, wide-where forth;
And are the Peoples eyes, in that waste coast,
Wherein they move; before their starless march.
Gods stand on an high mountain, to behold,
Mens thousand families and their thirsting flocks;
Lean now, with evil fare. And they mens hearts
To journey incline; where they discern large mere,
Before the Peoples face. Themselves revert
Then, to heavenly seats; that battle-weary are.
Mens thousand families and their thirsting flocks;
Lean now, with evil fare. And they mens hearts
To journey incline; where they discern large mere,
Before the Peoples face. Themselves revert
Then, to heavenly seats; that battle-weary are.
In the evening cool, arrive that wayworn folk,
Thither, with their dry beasts. A gentle breath,
After days heat, moves on that waters face;
Whose liquid foot rimples to friendly strand;
With daphne hemmed. Their cattle, at the shole brinks,
Men in the midst; all drink their fill of it.
Is water sweet.
Thither, with their dry beasts. A gentle breath,
After days heat, moves on that waters face;
Whose liquid foot rimples to friendly strand;
With daphne hemmed. Their cattle, at the shole brinks,
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Is water sweet.
In that so pleasant place,
Men three days rest: till pásture ginneth to scant.
Hark, in the next, is shouted the Kings word;
Remóve! Is the hérb there-round, well-night consumed.
Men lift and bind their bundles, on the backs,
Of asses; whiles their cattle forward pace.
Men three days rest: till pásture ginneth to scant.
Hark, in the next, is shouted the Kings word;
Remóve! Is the hérb there-round, well-night consumed.
Men lift and bind their bundles, on the backs,
Of asses; whiles their cattle forward pace.
Murmur the People: They wander in void waste;
Beyond the foster-World! where no tree is;
Nor shadow, in midday heat, of any cloud.
Nor freshing dew stills on the herb, by night.
But burning winds drive daily a flinty dust:
That drizzling, blinds mens eyes; or else brings sleet
Of locusts, flattering-winged, up from the East:
That fall on all green thing, their cattles meat.
Beyond the foster-World! where no tree is;
Nor shadow, in midday heat, of any cloud.
Nor freshing dew stills on the herb, by night.
But burning winds drive daily a flinty dust:
That drizzling, blinds mens eyes; or else brings sleet
Of locusts, flattering-winged, up from the East:
That fall on all green thing, their cattles meat.
Vast sunbaked solitude: where though Suns eye stare,
Yet seemeth it Night by day! Strand in death-sleep,
Of soundless heavens illimitable Deep.
Their fainting cattle, in that inhuman sand;
Now brackish bitter bushes only find,
Whereon to browse. No trace of other life
Is there, save checquered prints of serpents' trains.
Yet seemeth it Night by day! Strand in death-sleep,
Of soundless heavens illimitable Deep.
Their fainting cattle, in that inhuman sand;
Now brackish bitter bushes only find,
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Is there, save checquered prints of serpents' trains.
Made divination, the Kings Seer, bade men;
Watch for a flight of cranes. Let them mark whither
Those tend: and else of doves, mongst feathered kinds,
Impatient most of thirst: and towards that part,
Journey: none other Words-of-Power, he hath.
Watch for a flight of cranes. Let them mark whither
Those tend: and else of doves, mongst feathered kinds,
Impatient most of thirst: and towards that part,
Journey: none other Words-of-Power, he hath.
Covering their mouths for bitter drought; (for naught
Remaineth now over, in mens water-skins:)
Stretcht on lean bosom of that Mother-Earth;
Wild desolate march, unkindly grain of flint;
After the Sun, neath heavens still sliding stars;
A Sun-beat People, lacking meat and drink,
Lie without succour, waiting on their Gods.
Remaineth now over, in mens water-skins:)
Stretcht on lean bosom of that Mother-Earth;
Wild desolate march, unkindly grain of flint;
After the Sun, neath heavens still sliding stars;
A Sun-beat People, lacking meat and drink,
Lie without succour, waiting on their Gods.
Hark wailing cries, of anguished wives, beside
Their minds! whose sucklings perish at the breasts.
Dry are, which might have helped, their cattles dugs.
Gods! look on this: for fail now human hearts.
Their minds! whose sucklings perish at the breasts.
Dry are, which might have helped, their cattles dugs.
Gods! look on this: for fail now human hearts.
Waked Gods in heavenly Light: their eyes beheld
Mans thousand households, ín Earths wasteful field,
Languish forspent! and beasts lie nigh to death.
Mans thousand households, ín Earths wasteful field,
Languish forspent! and beasts lie nigh to death.
Bending their deathless brows: then emanate Gods
Forth virtue and strength! (like as Sun streameth light
Down, on Earths mould;) and in mens reins infuse.
And send upon mens camp, an healing Wind.
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Down, on Earths mould;) and in mens reins infuse.
And send upon mens camp, an healing Wind.
The Moon hangs fair, with visage mild, in heaven.
Mens households rise by night. In Hér large gleam;
Shepherds drive forth their flocks: chíll the áspect is
Of wilderness waste, in bleak uncheerful light!
Mens households rise by night. In Hér large gleam;
Shepherds drive forth their flocks: chíll the áspect is
Of wilderness waste, in bleak uncheerful light!
They journey an hour: then happeth unlooked-for case!
Their cattle break lowing, from before mens steps.
Beasts, snuffing up the Wind, have smelled far-off
A breath of Wáter!
Their cattle break lowing, from before mens steps.
Beasts, snuffing up the Wind, have smelled far-off
A breath of Wáter!
Féw wights; (áre the most
Herdfólk), in whóm there yet remaíneth strength;
Follow, on jaded feet: parched water-skins,
Bearing in their faint hands.
Herdfólk), in whóm there yet remaíneth strength;
Follow, on jaded feet: parched water-skins,
Bearing in their faint hands.
Gone all that níght;
Gainst midday next, come those to streaming strand;
Which bordered all along with fruitful palms:
(Kind, that Mans thankful nation, Tree-of-life
Sith named; and planted in their temple-courts!)
They drink full, and of those food-branches eat.
So laid them down; some little throw, they sleep,
For weariness.
Gainst midday next, come those to streaming strand;
Which bordered all along with fruitful palms:
(Kind, that Mans thankful nation, Tree-of-life
Sith named; and planted in their temple-courts!)
They drink full, and of those food-branches eat.
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For weariness.
But raised eftsoon, they climb;
And plenteous store of dulcet fruit pluck down,
Of the trees' foster-mammels, in their cloaks.
And stive them; and do lade on what few beasts
Of charge, of theirs, they find there and might take:
So drive back to their fainting families.
And plenteous store of dulcet fruit pluck down,
Of the trees' foster-mammels, in their cloaks.
And stive them; and do lade on what few beasts
Of charge, of theirs, they find there and might take:
So drive back to their fainting families.
In cool now of the day, so speed them Gods;
And when light fades, from heaven renew their force:
And guide neath stars, and still their faltering knees
Uphold: that those be come, ere mid of night;
With water home agáin, and sústenance.
And when light fades, from heaven renew their force:
And guide neath stars, and still their faltering knees
Uphold: that those be come, ere mid of night;
With water home agáin, and sústenance.
To their then wakened faínting families, first;
Those pour to drink, and that meat mongst them part.
They call their neighbours sith, and those partake.
And so their victual multiply Saviour Gods:
That all both drink and eat, which in the camp,
To-night; and have enough, and receive strength.
Those pour to drink, and that meat mongst them part.
They call their neighbours sith, and those partake.
And so their victual multiply Saviour Gods:
That all both drink and eat, which in the camp,
To-night; and have enough, and receive strength.
And yet was within night, when all that folk
Remove anew, with slow and faltering steps.
They journey in chill moonlight. Sith wayworn, spent;
Come morrows heat, they can no more and rest.
Remove anew, with slow and faltering steps.
They journey in chill moonlight. Sith wayworn, spent;
Come morrows heat, they can no more and rest.
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Who first then, to that streaming waters' brink,
All failing faint arrive; they drink, at length:
So lay them deadly down. From hour to hour,
The rest come drooping in. Reach thereto last;
Théy, (whom mén help forth,) which síck and feeble are.
Those drínk, they fruit eat of the tree-of-life:
They swoon, they sleep!
All failing faint arrive; they drink, at length:
So lay them deadly down. From hour to hour,
The rest come drooping in. Reach thereto last;
Théy, (whom mén help forth,) which síck and feeble are.
Those drínk, they fruit eat of the tree-of-life:
They swoon, they sleep!
Till morrows afternoon,
Slumbers the camp: the hinds are busy alone;
Seeking widewhere, with pain, still gathering in;
Each their strayed stock: but not few beasts went lost.
Slumbers the camp: the hinds are busy alone;
Seeking widewhere, with pain, still gathering in;
Each their strayed stock: but not few beasts went lost.
When all their fills have eaten, and risen refreshed;
Men cut green boughs down, in the river groves:
And sheltering booths, where each his hearth-stead hath;
They build, for covert of their families.
To gather firing, housewives, wander forth:
Go some ones, seeking herbs, for their sick ones.
Men cut green boughs down, in the river groves:
And sheltering booths, where each his hearth-stead hath;
They build, for covert of their families.
To gather firing, housewives, wander forth:
Go some ones, seeking herbs, for their sick ones.
The same day, in the field, find those wild grain;
Both barley and wheat; whereof the awns they crop,
Which stand now ripe; and bind them in their skirts.
And those returned, with joy, home to their hearths;
Some singe, some seethe, some parch; and some they bray,
Twixt two flat stones. And kneed and bake thereof
Cakes, on the kindled coals, and hasty bread.
Both barley and wheat; whereof the awns they crop,
Which stand now ripe; and bind them in their skirts.
And those returned, with joy, home to their hearths;
Some singe, some seethe, some parch; and some they bray,
Twixt two flat stones. And kneed and bake thereof
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At all their evening fires, then; grows discourse.
Herdmen have found to-day wild cattle-paths;
To ford, down-leading, o'er the rivers strand.
And some, which passed, found fruitful soil beyond,
A pleasant field; and nóthing like to that,
Wherethrough their thirsting households lately marched.
Herdmen have found to-day wild cattle-paths;
To ford, down-leading, o'er the rivers strand.
And some, which passed, found fruitful soil beyond,
A pleasant field; and nóthing like to that,
Wherethrough their thirsting households lately marched.
The King and elders, which after the Sun;
Assembled to him, at the sacred hearth,
Sate down: long hour entreat thereof. And certain,
(Come dawn,) send herds and husbandmen of their trust;
To view that land and tidings bring thereof.
Assembled to him, at the sacred hearth,
Sate down: long hour entreat thereof. And certain,
(Come dawn,) send herds and husbandmen of their trust;
To view that land and tidings bring thereof.
Those lo returned to them, at afternoon:
And words of all their mouths agree in one.
That field, say they, men yond the flood, have seen;
Unhusbanded, goodly plenteous soil indeed
Is: bringing forth, bóth for cáttle, the green herb,
And bread-corn of itself; whose undressed bushes,
(Saw they), hang full of clusters of sweet grapes.
And melons ripe, in riotous abundance;
There saw they: and cucumbers so o'erspread wild ground,
As though had some wight poured them from his maund!
For proof thereof; they have brought of every kind.
And words of all their mouths agree in one.
That field, say they, men yond the flood, have seen;
Unhusbanded, goodly plenteous soil indeed
Is: bringing forth, bóth for cáttle, the green herb,
And bread-corn of itself; whose undressed bushes,
(Saw they), hang full of clusters of sweet grapes.
And melons ripe, in riotous abundance;
There saw they: and cucumbers so o'erspread wild ground,
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For proof thereof; they have brought of every kind.
The King and Ancients, thereon look: and lift,
For light, in human blindness, up their hearts;
To Throne of Heaven, unto Whom is nothing hid:
Expecting thence some sign: If should mens Nation,
Thereover pass? Likewise, the People entreat;
And of this quéstion, till far-spent the night;
At thousand hearths.
For light, in human blindness, up their hearts;
To Throne of Heaven, unto Whom is nothing hid:
Expecting thence some sign: If should mens Nation,
Thereover pass? Likewise, the People entreat;
And of this quéstion, till far-spent the night;
At thousand hearths.
Again the new day dawns.
Whilst cometh the Sun, hark shouted the Kings word,
Remove! the King himsélf will first o'erpass.
All follow: and Gods withhold the upper streams;
Whiles men, with cattle and flocks; and wives with babes,
And little ones borne aloft; yet overwade.
Whilst cometh the Sun, hark shouted the Kings word,
Remove! the King himsélf will first o'erpass.
All follow: and Gods withhold the upper streams;
Whiles men, with cattle and flocks; and wives with babes,
And little ones borne aloft; yet overwade.
Now when that day is wasted from the sky;
Being all the thousand families safely o'erfared,
To Edens field, they kindle supper-fires:
(For men name Eden, that good soil beyond,
Of corn and vines, which hath prepared the Gods.)
Being all the thousand families safely o'erfared,
To Edens field, they kindle supper-fires:
(For men name Eden, that good soil beyond,
Of corn and vines, which hath prepared the Gods.)
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The People a sennight rest, with joyful hearts.
They sacrifice, and do eat of the Lands good:
And recreates their faint spirits, warm Summer-breath.
They sacrifice, and do eat of the Lands good:
And recreates their faint spirits, warm Summer-breath.
And Gods well-pleased, hear mens thanksgiving voice;
Appearing seated in a silver cloud;
Under night-stars in all the Nations sight!
Whereof that field is named, The-gate-of-God.
Appearing seated in a silver cloud;
Under night-stars in all the Nations sight!
Whereof that field is named, The-gate-of-God.
Are Gods with men: which till now Edens Plain,
And scatter seed-corn, on the broken clod.
Their power divine doth lengthen out the Season;
(Two harvests Eden bears,) until it ripen.
Mens thousand households reap then hundred-fold:
And all have milk enough. Their ewes have eaned,
And brought forth twins: the kine have likewise calved,
Ere Winter falls.
And scatter seed-corn, on the broken clod.
Their power divine doth lengthen out the Season;
(Two harvests Eden bears,) until it ripen.
Mens thousand households reap then hundred-fold:
And all have milk enough. Their ewes have eaned,
And brought forth twins: the kine have likewise calved,
Ere Winter falls.
Is latter harvest ended:
And russet boughs, which shiver in the blast;
Shed their sere leaves, that feel first bit of frost:
Cumbered with clouds, now towards the latter rain,
Be the heavens aloft.
And russet boughs, which shiver in the blast;
Shed their sere leaves, that feel first bit of frost:
Cumbered with clouds, now towards the latter rain,
Be the heavens aloft.
Mens hands are busy then,
To build them cabans: that, in the cold moons,
Their fámilies might shélter, under roofs;
With comfort, as in Mantown, of warm hearths.
(Those cabans were but clay-cast wattle-work;
On ground-walls of green sods, then, at flood-side.)
To build them cabans: that, in the cold moons,
Their fámilies might shélter, under roofs;
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(Those cabans were but clay-cast wattle-work;
On ground-walls of green sods, then, at flood-side.)
In year succeeding this, the Lord of Heaven,
Pút in the héart of the King-priest of men;
To part that plenteous soil, the Field of Eden.
Unto every hóusehold, should by lót assigned,
For an inhéritance, be an híde of land.
Pút in the héart of the King-priest of men;
To part that plenteous soil, the Field of Eden.
Unto every hóusehold, should by lót assigned,
For an inhéritance, be an híde of land.
The Kings divíners, íncantation made;
Casting their magic figures, some in sand;
Some ones, in ashes of the sacred hearth:
Other wreathed signs beholding, (occult words
Recited,) in the fume of certain herbs:
Some, (stár-seers,) réading heavens swift móvement:
All these renounce; the Will to be of Heaven;
That builded new Mantown were, in this place.
Casting their magic figures, some in sand;
Some ones, in ashes of the sacred hearth:
Other wreathed signs beholding, (occult words
Recited,) in the fume of certain herbs:
Some, (stár-seers,) réading heavens swift móvement:
All these renounce; the Will to be of Heaven;
That builded new Mantown were, in this place.
Then wend, with river-reeds forth, faithful men;
Which mete out equal plots of Edens soil;
Like unto suburbs of their former State;
To number of the thousand human hearths.
Which mete out equal plots of Edens soil;
Like unto suburbs of their former State;
To number of the thousand human hearths.
Cóme is the day, the Néw Moon after this;
When in the Assembly, all the households' heads;
The lot receive of their Inheritance:
That parcel of lánd, which fálleth to every house.
Departed likewise is round-lying wilderness:
Wherein assigned is a wide grazing-ground,
Unto eách one of their several lineages.
When in the Assembly, all the households' heads;
The lot receive of their Inheritance:
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Departed likewise is round-lying wilderness:
Wherein assigned is a wide grazing-ground,
Unto eách one of their several lineages.
In those new dáys, men gáther-in, for mére stones,
Craigs of the field: and set them up, to mark
Their several plots; and open water-courses,
In their new ténements; whereas éach one seemeth:
That might he his seed-beds water with his foot.
Craigs of the field: and set them up, to mark
Their several plots; and open water-courses,
In their new ténements; whereas éach one seemeth:
That might he his seed-beds water with his foot.
The herdfolk likewise, in their borders, delve
Them water-pits, with their staves and with their hands;
For their flocks' néed: and cáll them by their names.
Them water-pits, with their staves and with their hands;
For their flocks' néed: and cáll them by their names.
Instead of bówers, of cláy-daubed wattle-work,
Bent boughs, reeds, studs; men timber now housesteads,
With walls: that rise, beside all trodden paths;
Cote beside cote, and in the midst long street.
Bent boughs, reeds, studs; men timber now housesteads,
With walls: that rise, beside all trodden paths;
Cote beside cote, and in the midst long street.
And the heavens those days, to human kin, enlarge
Increase of strength, with new deviseful mind;
And divine semblant graft, on human flesh.
Then men were fair, to look on, as the Gods.
Increase of strength, with new deviseful mind;
And divine semblant graft, on human flesh.
Then men were fair, to look on, as the Gods.
In time sith, that a child; born in days when
Mens thousand fugitive families passed the ford;
Is come to knowledge, in new Land of Eden,
(Which Gods have blessed:) behold the human nation,
Established in those seats!
Mens thousand fugitive families passed the ford;
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(Which Gods have blessed:) behold the human nation,
Established in those seats!
Now in Summer month
Hark, published in the Peoples audience!
Bý the Kings Críer: Thé King-priest of men
Their long-aged Sire, falling in trance, hath seen;
Gold-shining Fane, a Temple-tower, ascending
Up, by degrees on height, to Gate of Heaven!
Hark, published in the Peoples audience!
Bý the Kings Críer: Thé King-priest of men
Their long-aged Sire, falling in trance, hath seen;
Gold-shining Fane, a Temple-tower, ascending
Up, by degrees on height, to Gate of Heaven!
Dream-readers, in whom dwells, gift of the Gods,
A sacred light, which see in inward sort:
The Interpretation could not show thereof.
Last found was one poor man, which could discern
The royal dream: and it, before the King,
Unfold; and councillors, and his priests
A sacred light, which see in inward sort:
The Interpretation could not show thereof.
Last found was one poor man, which could discern
The royal dream: and it, before the King,
Unfold; and councillors, and his priests
He was not of priests' kin; but one wont muse,
Neath whispeling palms, beside the sliding flood:
And footsteps hear and voices of the Gods;
With ear of chastened flesh, in his rapt mood;
Which soars to stars, and opens her eyes there:
Whence swells his soul, with high presaging thought.
(And is not given, to wandering wings of bírds;
To mánifest heavens hígh secret purposes.)
Neath whispeling palms, beside the sliding flood:
And footsteps hear and voices of the Gods;
With ear of chastened flesh, in his rapt mood;
Which soars to stars, and opens her eyes there:
Whence swells his soul, with high presaging thought.
(And is not given, to wandering wings of bírds;
To mánifest heavens hígh secret purposes.)
He, according unto that the Sire hath seen;
Bade that rear men a Temples stately Fane,
From Earths low brów, up tówards Gods' séats in heaven.
And that should perfected be in seven stairs;
To number of the seven celestial spheres:
Whereby might Gods descend into the World.
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From Earths low brów, up tówards Gods' séats in heaven.
And that should perfected be in seven stairs;
To number of the seven celestial spheres:
Whereby might Gods descend into the World.
The People, in solemn Assembly, heard his words;
Them rátifý, as Méssage, from the Gods!
Their princes, with the ancients; separate then
Wise-hearted men, expert in handicrafts;
To be o'erseers of that sacred Work.
Them rátifý, as Méssage, from the Gods!
Their princes, with the ancients; separate then
Wise-hearted men, expert in handicrafts;
To be o'erseers of that sacred Work.
The nation lo divided into courses.
Shall, save plough-month and harvest-month; every course
Travail one Moon, in service of high Gods.
Which things determined, holden is seven days' feast.
Which past, him séparates éach, whose Moon it is,
Unto his pious several handiwork.
Shall, save plough-month and harvest-month; every course
Travail one Moon, in service of high Gods.
Which things determined, holden is seven days' feast.
Which past, him séparates éach, whose Moon it is,
Unto his pious several handiwork.
Hewers of stone and timber, with draught-beasts;
To distant hills outwend. But the more part,
Delve daily at home, and knead in the marle-pits,
Malm with their feet, and sever into bricks;
That the Sun bakes.
To distant hills outwend. But the more part,
Delve daily at home, and knead in the marle-pits,
Malm with their feet, and sever into bricks;
That the Sun bakes.
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Have geomancers found,
The sacred Site, fast by the rivers ford.
And Seers, which read by night, heavens arcane signs;
Find, towards which star, their Temple-front mote face,
Shire Íshtar, brightest midst the starry flock:
Whose benign influence causeth men to dwell,
In welfare in the World.
The sacred Site, fast by the rivers ford.
And Seers, which read by night, heavens arcane signs;
Find, towards which star, their Temple-front mote face,
Shire Íshtar, brightest midst the starry flock:
Whose benign influence causeth men to dwell,
In welfare in the World.
By master-wrights,
With plummet, reed and line, proportioned fair;
The Fanes foundations, with wrought corner-stones;
Be truly layed: on sand, (that sea-ground was,
Seers hold, of former worlds!) And in that month;
As sung, in winged ascending antique chant;
Wherein All-father Sun in heaven, sets forth
His plough, who build, begin the sacred work.
With plummet, reed and line, proportioned fair;
The Fanes foundations, with wrought corner-stones;
Be truly layed: on sand, (that sea-ground was,
Seers hold, of former worlds!) And in that month;
As sung, in winged ascending antique chant;
Wherein All-father Sun in heaven, sets forth
His plough, who build, begin the sacred work.
Already, at rising of the Pleiades,
Be ladders reared on height and scaffolds set;
Of beams and boards, with ramps of carpenters' work.
Labour then thousand hands, with willing heart;
Under their master-builders, to lay-up
The burdens of bricks; fast as can those be brought.
Lighten men, players upon shríll reed-pipes;
That devout daily toil of Temple-labourers.
Be ladders reared on height and scaffolds set;
Of beams and boards, with ramps of carpenters' work.
Labour then thousand hands, with willing heart;
Under their master-builders, to lay-up
The burdens of bricks; fast as can those be brought.
Lighten men, players upon shríll reed-pipes;
That devout daily toil of Temple-labourers.
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Seven years in building is that sacred mole,
From the ground walls. It stánds lo in séven steps:
To measure each one of a divine pace,
As of that Seer was taught. Where, so much doth
Increase on height, as lose, each bricky mass,
In breadth.
From the ground walls. It stánds lo in séven steps:
To measure each one of a divine pace,
As of that Seer was taught. Where, so much doth
Increase on height, as lose, each bricky mass,
In breadth.
Behold that Fane uplayed, at length,
Of hundred-fold ten-thousand-thousand bricks.
Hill-high, far-seen, is that heaped human work!
Whereunto a lofty porch of dédale work,
Join artifícers; and there-round paved court,
With cloister. And without the Temple-precinct;
Plant priests, of cedars sweet, a sacred grove.
Of hundred-fold ten-thousand-thousand bricks.
Hill-high, far-seen, is that heaped human work!
Whereunto a lofty porch of dédale work,
Join artifícers; and there-round paved court,
With cloister. And without the Temple-precinct;
Plant priests, of cedars sweet, a sacred grove.
On a set day, lo the King-priest of men;
Borne in a litter; (that may go no more
Upon his feet,) and People it dedicate;
With guirlands on their brows and sacred choirs.
Borne in a litter; (that may go no more
Upon his feet,) and People it dedicate;
With guirlands on their brows and sacred choirs.
All in their best array, singing glad hymns,
With joyful lauds, and blowing priests before
Loud shawms; seven times wend round those hallowed walls.
With joyful lauds, and blowing priests before
Loud shawms; seven times wend round those hallowed walls.
Whiles then, with devout heart, the People halt;
And prayer is, with great voice of multitude;
After the King-priests words, made to the Gods:
To topmost terrace, chief priests lo upmount;
That shines on height o'erlaid, with plate of gold:
Which daily radiance crowns of the Sun-god.
Those kindle, on golden altar, incense there;
And offer gifts.
And prayer is, with great voice of multitude;
After the King-priests words, made to the Gods:
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That shines on height o'erlaid, with plate of gold:
Which daily radiance crowns of the Sun-god.
Those kindle, on golden altar, incense there;
And offer gifts.
Upon Worlds Fane, look Gods
Down, and on devout worshipping human multitude:
And smell the sweetness of mens sacrifices!
Down, and on devout worshipping human multitude:
And smell the sweetness of mens sacrifices!
Gladdening the World, they smile. And, midst mens Feast,
Have sent high Gods from heaven down their best gifts!
Ishtar bright Goddess of the sacred hearth:
And hand-in-hand, with Her, lo, white-winged Peace.
Have sent high Gods from heaven down their best gifts!
Ishtar bright Goddess of the sacred hearth:
And hand-in-hand, with Her, lo, white-winged Peace.
Behold new birth and morning of the World!
Is Spring-time sweet; the hour twixt mid of night,
And dawning ray; when mingled cheerful voice
Wont spring of birds, which inn in the sheen leaves.
Then eyewasht priests, that gaze into the night;
See súdden shoot cléarest star, in skíes high twilight:
And earthward stoop!
Is Spring-time sweet; the hour twixt mid of night,
And dawning ray; when mingled cheerful voice
Wont spring of birds, which inn in the sheen leaves.
Then eyewasht priests, that gaze into the night;
See súdden shoot cléarest star, in skíes high twilight:
And earthward stoop!
And in the same; amidst
Soul-ravishing harmony; súch as hear, by moments,
Men, in sleeps dream: and whereby móve, (Seers téll us;)
The starry sphéres, and háng heavens infinite signs:
She, Góddess héavenly-bright, descends; and lights
On Temple-head. Fólding Her august wings,
Divíne; She seemed some néw glance of the Sun!
Soul-ravishing harmony; súch as hear, by moments,
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The starry sphéres, and háng heavens infinite signs:
She, Góddess héavenly-bright, descends; and lights
On Temple-head. Fólding Her august wings,
Divíne; She seemed some néw glance of the Sun!
Ishtar, joined palm to palm, with the days Dawn;
By seven degrees then, to Earths mould, stepped down:
Which She, from Worlds beginning, had adorned;
Wherein is She hight Móther-of-all-Grace.
By seven degrees then, to Earths mould, stepped down:
Which She, from Worlds beginning, had adorned;
Wherein is She hight Móther-of-all-Grace.
What untold generations went before:
(Once living worlds; which numbered with the dead,
Remembered be no móre:) engendered were,
Of Her immortal Smile. Even comprehended
The Gods be, in Íshtar's ínfinite Motherhood.
(Once living worlds; which numbered with the dead,
Remembered be no móre:) engendered were,
Of Her immortal Smile. Even comprehended
The Gods be, in Íshtar's ínfinite Motherhood.
That crystal Smile! Her divine lips unfolds;
(Still breathing grace and beckoning chaste delights;)
Compels all hearts. Her favour solace is,
To mortal breasts, in midst of worldly smarts.
(Still breathing grace and beckoning chaste delights;)
Compels all hearts. Her favour solace is,
To mortal breasts, in midst of worldly smarts.
She passeth forth wíth the Hóurs! Where Ishtar spaceth,
With footstep not of flesh; the purple flowers,
Bright daughters of fresh mead, to Her uphold,
(Her blissful feet to kiss,) their gentle faces.
And, in that day, is seen the Sun-wooed mould;
Like únto a tréasury of sweet golden buds!
With footstep not of flesh; the purple flowers,
Bright daughters of fresh mead, to Her uphold,
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And, in that day, is seen the Sun-wooed mould;
Like únto a tréasury of sweet golden buds!
In vision ónly óf their chastened flesh;
Few pious spirits, Her Presence may perceive;
Which filleth Earths folde, with breath of heavenly places.
But cannot sín-smircht souls, of Íshtars countenance,
As súnbeams héavenly bright; whence floweth hearts gladness,
Joys not to be repented-of, conceive.
Few pious spirits, Her Presence may perceive;
Which filleth Earths folde, with breath of heavenly places.
But cannot sín-smircht souls, of Íshtars countenance,
As súnbeams héavenly bright; whence floweth hearts gladness,
Joys not to be repented-of, conceive.
Not that deceivable sweetness of gross sense;
Base ferment of the veins, fell scalding waves;
Which fret at ingates of mans fleshly dross:
Divine love living ínward wórship is;
Deign transport of true souls: till when we pass.
Base ferment of the veins, fell scalding waves;
Which fret at ingates of mans fleshly dross:
Divine love living ínward wórship is;
Deign transport of true souls: till when we pass.
Unto Her high Presence, like to hurtless dove;
Alights then, from on height, on running feet;
Daughter of Heaven, adórable hóly Peace;
Bearing in bósom méssage from the Gods.
Alights then, from on height, on running feet;
Daughter of Heaven, adórable hóly Peace;
Bearing in bósom méssage from the Gods.
Love then, which Soul divine is of the World;
With Peace, forthpassed, to cedars' párfumed grove:
Mongst whose sweet-smelling boughs, be sacred doves
Lo, flittering.
With Peace, forthpassed, to cedars' párfumed grove:
Mongst whose sweet-smelling boughs, be sacred doves
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Thére, besíde a well-spring, sweet
As milk, She sits; and combs, whiles She looks forth,
Her sunbright locks, down-blissful hanging loost:
Bared Lady-of-life, All-Foster of green Earth;
The divine manifold mammels of Her breast.
As milk, She sits; and combs, whiles She looks forth,
Her sunbright locks, down-blissful hanging loost:
Bared Lady-of-life, All-Foster of green Earth;
The divine manifold mammels of Her breast.
Peace, fairest, mongst the Daughters of Gods Throne;
In that Place dwells with Her. But their discourse,
Exceedeth speech, which mortal tongue can frame;
And inénarrábile is, (mine Author saith,)
To flesh-born wights. Yet semblable Her mild voice
Is, to that blissful sound, in Summer drought;
Of pettering raín, on léaves of párched Earths dust.
In that Place dwells with Her. But their discourse,
Exceedeth speech, which mortal tongue can frame;
And inénarrábile is, (mine Author saith,)
To flesh-born wights. Yet semblable Her mild voice
Is, to that blissful sound, in Summer drought;
Of pettering raín, on léaves of párched Earths dust.
Now and lately had quieted Péace, in thát She passed,
Twixt Sky and Earth, the windy Element:
And hanged therein Her sheen celestial arc.
Twixt Sky and Earth, the windy Element:
And hanged therein Her sheen celestial arc.
Her Voice it is, which stilleth all Worlds unrest:
Strife suáging in the spring, ere it break forth.
And Envy and raging Wráth, She layeth to sleep;
Whereas She walketh, in a Path of Light.
Strife suáging in the spring, ere it break forth.
And Envy and raging Wráth, She layeth to sleep;
Whereas She walketh, in a Path of Light.
And whiles, in Temple-grove, those twain divine,
Vouchsafe to sojourn, in this World of men;
None practiseth against other, none misdoeth.
Vouchsafe to sojourn, in this World of men;
None practiseth against other, none misdoeth.
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