Part 27 (1/2)

When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness for its swaddling-band.

CCLx.x.xII

Then I brake up for it its appointed place, And set it bars and portals, And said: ”Hitherto shalt thou come, And here shall thy haughty waves be stayed!”

CCLx.x.xIII

Was it at thy prompting that I commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place?

That it might seize hold of the ends of the earth, That the wicked might be shaken out?[252]

CCLx.x.xIV

Then the earth changes as clay under the seal, And all things appear therein as an embroidery;[253]

But from the wicked is withholden their hiding-place, And the raised arm shall be shattered.

CCLx.x.xV

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?

Or hast thou walked in search of the abysses?

Have the gates of death been opened unto thee, Or hast thou seen the doors of darkness?

CCLx.x.xVI

Hast thou surveyed the breadth of the earth?

Declare, if thou knowest, its measure!

Thou must needs know it, for then wast thou already born, And great is the number of thy days!

CCLx.x.xVII

Which way leadeth to the dwelling of light?

And of darkness, where is the abode?

That thou shouldst take it to its bounds, And that thou shouldst know the paths to its house?

CCLx.x.xVIII

Hast thou entered into the granaries of the snow, Or hast thou seen the a.r.s.enals of the hail, Which I have laid up for the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and of war?

CCLx.x.xIX

By what way is the mist parted?

And the east wind scattered upon the earth?

Who hath divided its course for the rain-storm?

And its path for the lightning of thunder?

CCXC

Out of whose womb issued the ice?

And who gendered the h.o.a.r-frost of heaven?