At first, indeed, seeing they saw in vain,

And hearing heard not; but like the forms

Of dreams, for that long time, rashly confounded

All, nor brick-woven dwellings

Knew they, placed in the sun, nor woodwork;

But digging down they dwelt, like puny

Ants, in sunless nooks of caves.

And there was naught to them, neither of winter sign,

Nor of flower-giving spring, nor fruitful

Summer, that was sure; but without knowledge