A strong son of lightning came down to the earth with fire-feet of swiftness, splendid;

Light was born in a womb and thunder’s force filled a human frame.

The calm speed of heaven, the sweet greatness, pure passion, winged power had descended;

All the gods in a mortal body dwelt, bore a single name.

A wide wave of movement stirred all the dim globe in each glad and dreaming fold;

Life was cast into grandeur, ocean hands took the wheels of Time.

Man’s soul was again a bright charioteer of days hired by gods impetuous bold,

Hurled by One on His storm-winged ways, a shaft aimed at heights sublime.

The old tablets clanging fell, ancient slow Nature’s dead wall was rent asunder,

God renewed himself in a world of young beauty, thought and flame:

Divine voices spoke on men’s lips, the heart woke to white dawns of gleaming wonder,

Air a robe of splendour, breath a joy, life a godlike game.