each part into
a portion of a whole,
then he, that earth
might be
symmetrical,
first shaped its sides
into a giant ball.
Above, the air
extends; and for
as much as earth
is heavier
than water,
so is the air
more ponderous
than fire.
He ordered fog
and clouds to
gather there --
and nature, now become benign . . . |
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Fire, the weightless force of heaven's dome, shot up; it occupied the highest zone. Just under fire, the light air found its home. |
The earth, more dense, attracted elements more gross; its own mass made it sink below. And flowing water filled the final space; it held the solid world in its embrace. |
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Prometheus, son of Iapetus, made man by mixing new-made earth with fresh rainwater (for earth had only recently been set apart from heaven, and the earth still kept seeds of the sky-remains of their shared birth): and when he fashioned man, his mold recalled the masters of all things, the gods. |
And while all other animals are bent, head down, and fix their gaze upon the ground, to man he gave a face that is held high; he had man stand erect, his eyes upon the stars. |
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beneath the
crushing darkness,
could begin
to gleam throughout
the heavens.
That no region
be left without
its share
of living things,
and the waters
shared
their dwelling
with the gleaming
fishes;
earth received
the beasts, and
restless air,
the birds.