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;