Aesem Mythology

Title: The Lament of Heleigiri Sing, O Muse, of fair Heleigiri, radiant among immortals, whose beauty outshone dawn's first blush upon Olympus, she whose voice was sweeter than Apollo's silver lyre, whose gaze softened the hearts of gods and mortal kings alike. Across the broad earth and the sacred halls of heaven, all who beheld Heleigiri were struck with wonder. Poseidon from the depths admired her grace, Ares forgot the fury of war in her presence, and even wise Hermes lingered to hear her gentle words. But Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, lord of thunder, looked upon the devotion she inspired with growing envy. For though she was beloved by him above all others, he could not endure the eyes of gods and men upon her. Dark thoughts coiled within the ruler of Olympus. Thus Zeus descended to the forge of Hephaestus, the lame god whose mighty hands shaped divine wonders. "Craft for me a vessel," Zeus commanded, "a jar of unbreakable bronze and celestial iron....

CHORUS O Endless Wind, and water that no mortal king can tame, How swift is the descent of the immortals into the snares of desire! No man may escape the net of Aphrodite, Nor can the deathless gods withstand her bitter-sweet sting. Behold the tragedy of the mortal who measures the earth with stone, And the daughter of Chaos who watches from the silent waves. STROPHE I EPAUROS (holding his leaden plumb line against the rising wall) Straight must the line fall, true must the stone rest, Lest the labor of these hands fail the heavy gaze of Rome. Let the iron-clad soldiers pass me by in their marching; They draw no blades against Epauros, nor bind his wrists in steel, For they know the worth of a faithful hand that builds their fortresses, And the wit that turns their wrath into hollow laughter. Yet, what is this shadow that troubles the surface of the lake? A breeze that smells of the deep ocean, though no sea is near— A vision of pale light amidst the reeds, mocking my eart...