Part 6 (1/2)
'Tis from him the art man knows Tongs and bellows how to wield; 'Neath his hammer's heavy blows Was the ploughshare first revealed.
With projecting, weighty spear, Front of all, Minerva stands, Lifts her voice so strong and clear, And the G.o.dlike host commands.
Steadfast walls 'tis hers to found, s.h.i.+eld and screen for every one, That the scattered world around Bind in loving unison.
The immortals' steps she guides O'er the trackless plains so vast, And where'er her foot abides Is the boundary G.o.d held fast; And her measuring chain is led Round the mountain's border green,-- E'en the raging torrent's bed In the holy ring is seen.
All the Nymphs and Oreads too Who, the mountain pathways o'er, Swift-foot Artemis pursue, All to swell the concourse, pour, Brandis.h.i.+ng the hunting-spear,-- Set to work,--glad shouts uprise,-- 'Neath their axes' blows so clear Cras.h.i.+ng down the pine-wood flies.
E'en the sedge-crowned G.o.d ascends From his verdant spring to light, And his raft's direction bends At the G.o.ddess' word of might,-- While the hours, all gently bound, Nimbly to their duty fly; Rugged trunks are fas.h.i.+oned round By her skilled hand gracefully.
E'en the sea-G.o.d thither fares;-- Sudden, with his trident's blow, He the granite columns tears From earth's entrails far below;-- In his mighty hands, on high, Waves he them, like some light ball, And with nimble Hermes by, Raises up the rampart-wall.
But from out the golden strings Lures Apollo harmony, Measured time's sweet murmurings, And the might of melody.
The Camoenae swell the strain With their song of ninefold tone: Captive bound in music's chain, Softly stone unites to stone.
Cybele, with skilful hand, Open throws the wide-winged door; Locks and bolts by her are planned, Sure to last forevermore.
Soon complete the wondrous halls By the G.o.ds' own hands are made, And the temple's glowing walls Stand in festal pomp arrayed.
With a crown of myrtle twined, Now the G.o.ddess queen comes there, And she leads the fairest hind To the shepherdess most fair.
Venus, with her beauteous boy, That first pair herself attires; All the G.o.ds bring gifts of joy, Blessing their love's sacred fires.
Guided by the deities, Soon the new-born townsmen pour, Ushered in with harmonies, Through the friendly open door.
Holding now the rites divine, Ceres at Zeus' altar stands,-- Blessing those around the shrine, Thus she speaks, with folded hands:--
”Freedom's love the beast inflames, And the G.o.d rules free in air, While the law of Nature tames Each wild l.u.s.t that lingers there.
Yet, when thus together thrown, Man with man must fain unite; And by his own worth alone Can he freedom gain, and might.”
Wreathe in a garland the corn's golden ear!
With it, the Cyane blue intertwine!
Rapture must render each glance bright and clear, For the great queen is approaching her shrine,-- She who our homesteads so blissful has given, She who has man to his fellow-man bound: Let our glad numbers extol then to heaven, Her who the earth's kindly mother is found!
THE RING OF POLYCRATES. [32]
A BALLAD.
Upon his battlements he stood, And downward gazed in joyous mood, On Samos' Isle, that owned his sway, ”All this is subject to my yoke;”
To Egypt's monarch thus he spoke,-- ”That I am truly blest, then, say!”
”The immortals' favor thou hast known!
Thy sceptre's might has overthrown All those who once were like to thee.
Yet to avenge them one lives still; I cannot call thee blest, until That dreaded foe has ceased to be.”
While to these words the king gave vent, A herald from Miletus sent, Appeared before the tyrant there: ”Lord, let thy incense rise to-day, And with the laurel branches gay Thou well may'st crown thy festive hair!”
”Thy foe has sunk beneath the spear,-- I'm sent to bear the glad news here, By thy true marshal Polydore”-- Then from a basin black he takes-- The fearful sight their terror wakes-- A well-known head, besmeared with gore.
The king with horror stepped aside, And then with anxious look replied: ”Thy bliss to fortune ne'er commit.