Canto One

Upon the fringe of raw domain,
the suns rise as an Angel Host
ascends beyond the level plane.
Their advent from the nethermost
illuminates the flat and vacant World. 5

A multitude, they are the mind
of Joss and thence the all they shape
was hitherto but Joss defined.
In concert thus, this virgin scape
could nothing be but His caprice unfurled. 10

Yet as Samwiel, some had assumed
expressive eccentricity.
The strongest of The Host subsumed
the fragmented ancillary
incorporating unto self new traits. 15

Thus, Here and Now the tale’s begun.
Each spirit let to weave as can
to make that which is not yet spun
and in the cast disturb His plan.
Foundations men have come to name The Fates. 20

And all The World was barren slate,
for though it vanished when ‘twas filled
by sum and substance inchoate,
yet Nothing lay before them stilled
as was its nature prior to its end. 25

In form and glory like unto
his maker, Lord Samwiel began.
They shaped Above and gave it hue.
Below was carved of Dark and span
an equal realm at first and as unkenned. 30

Although Samwiel was now their King,
he yet insisted no restraint
would come of him to pace their Spring.
He let each spirit free acquaint
themselves with aught and turn to genesis. 35

Their making was of varied ways
as numberless as they themselves.
They shaped the stuff of countless clays
and with resourcefulness each delves
to press the bound’ries of inventiveness. 40

The plane of Earth was Salt and Rock.
They raised it high, then struck it low.
Some traced the canyons to unlock
the hidden vaults of later woe,
while others sought to raise the stones on high. 45

Then one among them with a thought
brought forth the waters deep and wide.
Within their depths he swiftly wrought
a Kingdom vast and took to hide.
The Angels named the spirit Malachi. 50

And over all the land he poured
the waters seeming near as vast
as all the sky to reap discord,
until Samwiel himself at last
let open every vault beneath the Earth. 55

Thus deep and deeper did the realm
of Malachi consolidate
until it might chance overwhelm
a greater part and feed the hate
of Lord Samwiel that he must try its worth. 60

But yet again Samwiel would wait
and let that Angel’s realm to grow.
His confidence had waxed so great
he felt that naught his plans could slow.
Vicissitude was his alone to use. 65

Then Malachi withdrew from them
and with him took likeminded souls.
From isolated wights would stem
the Nymphs who chose abiding roles
to safeguard Rivers that none dare abuse. 70

In all this Mic~lak~lor alone
was absent biding high aloft,
for in the Ether he had flown
and buffeted by winds so soft
conceived a change in self nigh Heavenly. 75

Upon his body, now adorned,
stretched wings of white that caught the wind.
Exultant as in guilt suborned
he claims the Airs he’ll not rescind,
the second born of Joss flies far and Free. 80

A summons of Samwiel it took
to bring him Earthward renitent.
The Host did marvel as he shook
and folded wings to prove intent,
for Mic~lak~lor’s leal heart did ever yield. 85

But though he often seemed vernile
in service to the Star of Dawn,
when Lord Samwiel’s base crimes compile
it will be him, his Will and brawn,
who tries to set aright and power wield. 90