The Sibyl · a new plain-English translation from the original language
The Immortal set wrath against them and cast them out
from the country of the immortals. For it had been decreed
that they should remain in a mortal land, since they had not kept
the word of the great immortal God, though they had heard it.
But when they went out at once upon the grain-giving earth
they were drenched in tears and groans; and then to them
the immortal God himself spoke a more gracious word:
"Increase, multiply, and work the earth
with skill, so that you may have your fill of food by your own sweat."
So he spoke; and the crawling one to blame for the deception
he made press the earth with belly and flank,
driving him out in bitterness; and he cast terrible enmity
between the two of them; and the one guards his head
to keep it safe, the other his heel, since death lies
close beside men and venom-shooting evil counsel.
And then indeed the race multiplied, as the All-Ruler
himself had commanded, and people grew, one upon another,
a people beyond counting; and they built houses
of every kind, and cities too, and walls they raised,
well and skillfully; and to them a long-lasting day
was granted for a life much beloved; for not in pain
worn down did they die, but as though overcome by sleep;
blessed were those great-hearted mortals, whom he loved,
the immortal savior, God the king. But even they
went astray, struck with folly. For shamelessly
they mocked their fathers and dishonored their mothers,
and plotted against their own kin, not knowing them as brothers.
They became defiled, gorged on the blood of men,
and made wars. Then upon them came a ruin,
a last one, hurled from heaven, which their dread
lives cut short; and Hades in turn received them;
and they called it Hades, since Adam was the first to go there,
having tasted death, and the earth covered him over.
Therefore all men born upon the earth
are called to go into the house of Hades.
But all these, even having gone down into Hades,
kept their honor, since they were the first race.
But when he had received these, a second
of the most righteous men left behind,
he fashioned another race, richly varied, to whom mattered
lovely works and noble pursuits and surpassing reverence
and close-woven wisdom; and they practiced arts
of every kind, discovering inventions out of their helplessness.
And one found how to till the earth with ploughs,
another to build, another cared to sail the sea,
another to watch the stars and read the omens of birds,
drug-lore fell to one, and magic again to another;
and others each crafted their own several concerns,
Watchers, men of bread-winning skill, sharing this name
because in their minds they held a sleepless understanding.