The Mine of Wisdom

“There is a mine for silver     and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth,     and copper is smelted from ore.   Mortals put an end to the darkness;     they search out the farthest recesses     for ore in the blackest darkness. Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,     In places untouched by human feet;     far from other people they dangle and sway.  The earth, from which food comes,     Is transformed below as by fire;  lapis lazuli comes from its rocks,    and its dust contains nuggets of gold.  No bird of prey knows that hidden path,     no falcon’s eye has seen it.  Proud beasts do not set foot on it,    and no lion prowls there.   People assault the flinty rock with their hands     and lay bare the roots of the mountains.  They tunnel through the rock;     their eyes see all its treasures.  They search the sources of the rivers     and bring hidden things to light.”