Verses for the prayers of Hasanyah the Queen, to be sung at the Midnight Song: I. For the Feast of Orusen

Five verses.

Once Hasanyah, Queen of Forest

Stood beside the ancient waters—

Stood and listened to the Stone-king,

Learned from him to cleanse the waters,

Keep the oath of Earth and Heaven.

A new Hasanyah prays at Midnight.

Once Hasanyah, famous princess,

Learned the Song that all the Heavens

Keep as moves the Starlit Lotus

Through the Dance that all things governs.

The Song was singing deep within her

While above her Midnight ruled.

Once Hasanyah, famous princess,

Once she loved a mighty captain:

Orusena, first of fathers.

Once she brought him serpent-iron,

Serpent scale to forge a weapon

Which would cleanse those sacred waters.

Now Hasanyah, Queen Beloved—

Now she sings the world’s first chorus

Still beside the World’s First Waters.

Now she wages war unceasing

On the children of the Serpent.

Let us lend her willing voices.

Fair Hasanyah, Queen of forest

Made a spear for Orusena.

By that spear the old agreement,

Ancient oaths of Sky and Water,

Are renewed and well-defended.

World’s first waters will renew us.