Page:Prometheus bound - Browning (1833).djvu/59

I will describe them. In the olden time,
Men seeing, saw in vain, and did not hear¹²
Hearing; but similar to shades of dreams,
Long mingled all things in confusedness;
Nor knew by tilëd roofs t' oppose the sun,
Nor knew device of wood; but underground,
Abode like sorry ants in sunless caves.
To them, of winter shone no certain sign,¹³
Nor yet of flow'ry spring, nor fruitful summer;
But all things did they void of sapiency—
Until I show'd the rising of the orbs,
And mystic setting. Yea; and I devised
Numbers—high art!—and letters' composition,
And memory, effector of all things,
And mother of the Muses: I the first
Join'd unto fitting yokes enslavëd beasts,
Vicarious in the greatest toils, of man;
I led rein-loving coursers to the chariot,
The pride of gold-abounding luxury;