XXI. The Third Morning Ode

Nankeinela, First, Unfounded,
Sets his foot upon the hilltop.
There the stream of living water
Cold, from ancient, deep abysses
Springing upwards all land cleanses
And me it washes to the Sea.

Refrain: Nankeinela rules the nations—
I will praise his name forever!

Day is dawning Under Starlight.
Night is fleeing, terror waning,
The grip of Death is not forever,
Again my heart with great rejoicing
Hears the Song and sings in answer:
I will praise his name forever!

Day is dawning Under Starlight.
The owl and leopard seeking shelter
Go to rest among the shadows.
Now to work the Water’s Children—
Now to work and reap the rice-fields,
Now to work and hunt the red deer!

Night is fleeing, terror waning,
Now the poets, sunlight fearing
Seek their beds, while goes the farmer
To his field. Now stalks the hunter,
Like a king beneath the Forest.
Night has fled—now comes the morning!

The grip of Death is not forever
When he stands, that First, Unfounded,
On the Hill to judge the peoples,
Death himself will pay him homage,
Like a vassal kiss his footprint.
Time is leashed like a hound beside him.

Again my heart, in great rejoicing,
Hears the song which, long-forgotten
Breaks now in upon my sorrow.
All my heart like a ringing anvil
Rings in concert with the Heavens
When the making-hammer smites it.

I will praise his name forever—
Praise the might of Nankeinela
Who a people saved and succored
In the Forest, dark and ancient,
Saved them from the chains of slavery—
I will praise his name forever!

Nankeinela, First, Unfounded,
Sets his foot upon the Hilltop.
There he stands to rule the nations.
There the ancient oaths are ended
Which the ancient Stone-kings passed down
To our Father, Orusena.

Then again, we chant solemnly:

Nankeinela, First, Unfounded,
Sets his foot upon the Hilltop.
There the stream of Living Water
Cold, from ancient deep abysses,
Springing upwards all lands cleanses;
My heart it washes to the Sea.