Spread its broad arch: and say from these what gods,

Givers of blessings, sprang: and how they shared

Heaven’s splendid attributes and parted out

Distinct their honours: and how first they fix’d

Their dwelling midst Olympus’ winding vales:

Tell, oh ye Muses! ye who also dwell

In mansions of Olympus: tell me all

From the beginning: say who first arose.

[156]First of all beings Chaos was: and next

Wide-bosom’d Earth, the seat for ever firm