In Origin

In origin, all form in chaos lay: One wilderness of warped and seething spray. Thus, intermixed lay Earth and Sky and Sea, Until a cooling calm let order be. Cool crystallized, the Earth and Sea didst fall Beneath the Sky, which cast its golden shawl. Whence, from its warmth, the silver seeds didst spring, Each words within the song the heavens sing. So verdant were the ample paths of Earth! Eternal summer and eternal mirth! The gods, conceived in chaos and despair, Gazed down upon its streams and meadows fair. And as a child born to the very poor, This point of light they loved, and didst adore. So swiftly sped they down the Milky Way, From stars to sylvan Earth, to smile and play. Then tended they this garden of their hearts, In stewarding each measure of its parts. Across the lovely lands their garden built, Which everlasting summer ne’er would wilt. With all allicient arts their grounds didst gild, With selcouth statues, fabrile fountains filled. To share their joy and trouble raised they men, Those fateful friends in forest, field and fen. The thoughtful clouds that graze upon the air; The questful waves meandering from the mer; Where meadows melt into the beaches fair; There bound the regions gods and men didst share. It is a dainty thing, a golden age, When grace exceeds ambition, greed and rage. So soon the sunny smile, it doth depart! So soon the squabbling squalls their season start! So soon the cherished meadows rang with war: Where gods had tended, mortals ripped and tore. So swiftly seizing didst sectarians slash, For separate wealth, celestial wonders smash. So long as greater theft brings greater kings, So long spoilation spreads its wicked wings. As some avert their eyes when beauty dies, To hold remembrance of where ruin lies, So sadly slipped the gods back to the skies. And gathered in their velvet, starlit land, The future course of mortal things they planned.