Nor Aught nor Nought existed; yon bright skyWas not, nor heaven's broad roof outstretched above.What covered all? What sheltered? What concealed?Was it the water's fathomless abyss?There was no death-yet there was nought immortal, There was no confine betwixt day and night;The only One breathed breathless by Itself, Other than It there nothing since has been.Darkness there was, and all at first was veiledIn gloom profound-an ocean without light.The germ that still lay covered in the huskBurst forth, one nature, from the fervent heat.Who knows the secret? Who proclaimed it here?Whence, whence this manifold creation sprang?The Gods themselves came later into being-Who knows from whence this great creation sprang?That, whence all this great creation came, Whether Its will created or was mute, The Most High Seer that is in highest heaven, He knows it-or perchance even he knows not.Gazing into eternityEre the foundations of the earth were laid.Thou wert. And when the subterranean flameShall burst its prison and devour the frame, Thou shalt be still as thou wert beforeAnd know no change, when time shall be no more.O, endless thought, divine Ete