How the World Began.
Homer will give homage to this.
First came the chaos, formless void, Wherein desires, mighty passions rolled Leviathan; no fixed or settled frame Found there its footing midst the vaulted sea An Ocean-chambered sky, in every part Revolting with a dreadful ecascy. Phenix and drakon in unordered state, Bred wild behemoths beneath no law. Delighting in disorder, gave themselves Alone all honour and sought nothing else, Among the roaring torrents of a dream. When came new Law and Light too, from Outside He looked beheld, disordered the domain, Empty of even wretched dust to till, Unbounded and contracted to nowhere. Stretched out a hand and spake a single word At which a single heaven split in two. Transfixing chaos as it swung apart A pillar settled, formed of mighty stone, Upon no seat, but on foundation sure, The waters roar, the air in hurricane Bear down in fury at their sudden change, And flame awakens where they split in twain. Unshaken still the pillared stone remains, Bearing the burden of the world to be. The monsters, passions, marvel at these things. Seeing these changes, wakens then their will To order all to their own mastery, A master skill to cleave all to their mind, They came to win the gift, by flattery, In praise surrounding him, the multitude Seeking his favor, to betray the same. But He beheld the truth behind their eyes, The lies they told when even days were not, Then smiting wills unused to blinding light, He banished them beyond a bounded rule. Resentful then, most thought to win by force His skill and set themselves against His way. Some left that host, their chosen path to roam, Among the flaming geysers, still they dwell. And Three beheld their wreached lawlessness And begged of Him a different way and law. He gave forgiveness, took the Three in train, Gave each the Law and granted each a name, Thereafter fathers of the world to be.