XIX. The First Morning Ode

It is held by the sages of Sencankarr that all of the Odes of Morning were composed Laranfaloth, the long-lived poet of the Sothbori during the Dark Years.

Stars at sunrise hide their faces
When the Ram of Dawn comes bounding
O’er the Lower Heaven’s regions
When the Silver-headed Hunter
Rests awhile by the River
Where the Holy Ones are gathered.

Refrain: World’s first waters, flowing through me,
Hold the memory of Starlight.

Tell O Holies, gently resting,
How the Maker shaped the Heavens?
Nankeinela, First, Unfounded,
Drew apart the endless heavens,
Kneaded them from formless ether,
Forged a roof of gleaming sapphires.

High above the lands of mortals
Nankeinela hung the heavens—
Middle heavens where the Star-kin
Turning in their endless dances;
Heaven’s Lotus spins unceasing
While the Song is yet unended.

Tell, O Holies, blissful righteous,
What music do the Star-kin dance to?
You said the Song is yet unended—
Who sings the ode unheard by mortals?
When the Song at last is ended,
Then what music yet remains?

The Song is sung by Nankeinela
Who first, unfounded, wrought the music
To which, for joy, though bleak and formless
All Creation leaped and hearkened.
But a single note has finished—
Though all the ages ring within it.

Tell, O Holies, who can hear it?
Who can hear the Song of Ages?
Every heart assailed by passions
Hears the Song, but does not heed it.
In the Morning, I will hear it,
Lay aside the Veil of Sorrow.

Stars at sunrise hide their faces
When the Ram of Dawn comes bounding.
I will hide my face awhile.
Deep within me, ancient waters
Churn, by many passions stirred up
Which the Midnight Hour brought me.

Still, ye waters. Hear the music
Which the Stars once sung in gladness
When the world was yet unbroken.
Can you hear the Song of Ages?
World’s first waters, flowing through me,
Hold the memory of Starlight.

Tell, O Holies, who may dwell there?
There beside the peaceful waters?
Those who love the Way of Stillness;
Those whose souls escape the hunger
Of the cunning Serpent-peoples
Who draw men down to dwell in darkness.