The Law of the Elements. 26. iv Se fiipa Kpareovcri vepinXofievoLo kvkXolo, KoX (j)6Cv€i, ets aWrfXa koX av^erai iv fi^epev aicnjs. auTci -yap iaTLV ravra, 8t' dWijXojj' 8e Oeovra yCvovTau avOpomoiTe koX aWav i9vea drjpav aWoTC [lev ^iXorqTL crvvep^ofJiev' ets o'a Koa-fiov, aXXore 8' aS 81^' ekatTTa <))opovfJi.eva Nei/ceos ex^^'> eicrd/cev Iv crvii^vvra to irai/ virevcpde yevrjTOi. ouTws '^t fiev ei' e/c TrXedi'toi' ixefiddi^Ke ^vecuaif •^8e 7raXti» Si,a<f)vvTO^ ivo? irXeov' cKTcXe^ovcri, T'^i jno' yCyvovrai re Kal ov (r^urvv e/oiTreSos aituv 171, Se Ta8' dXXacrcroi'Ta Sia/iirc/oes ovSap,a Xijyei, ravrrii. 8' aiei' eaaiv aKCvrjTOL Kara kvkKov.
In turn they conquer as the cycles roll, And wane the one to other still, and wax The one to other in turn by olden Fate; For these are all, and, as they course along Through one another, they become both men And multitudinous tribes of hairy beasts; Whiles in fair order through Love united all, Whiles rent asunder by the hate of Strife, Till they, when grown into the One and All Once more, once more go under and succumb. And in so far as is the One still wont To grow from the Many, and the Many, again, Spring from primeval scattering of the One, So far have they a birth and mortal date. And in so far as this long interchange Ends not, so far forever established gods Around the circle of the world they move.
The Sphere. « 27. eud^ mn 'HeXioio SieiSerai b)Kea yuia ouSe /lei/ ou8' aii^s Xacrioi' fievog ouSe Oakacraa- OUTCD? 'ApflOVLT]^ TTVKLVOiL KpV(f)(Ol icmjpiKTai S^at/aos KuxXorep'^s fiovCr}!. Trepirjyii yauov.
There views one not the swift limbs of the Sun, Nor there the strength of shaggy Earth, nor Sea; But in the strong recess of Harmony, EstabHshed firm abides the rounded Sphere, Exultant in surrounding solitude.
27a. ( ov trracris ouSe re Srjpus dvaurip-o^ iv fieXeetra'i.v.
Nor faction nor fight unseemly in its limbs.
aXX' o ye irdvroOev Tcros [«?!'] koX trdp.Trav aTreCpcav %<^aLpos KVKXoTC/aijs povirfi irepiy^yii yaCav.
The Sphere on every side the boundless same, Exultant in surrounding solitude.
29. ov yap diro vwtolo Svo KXaSoi dicrcrowai, ov iroSes, ov 0od yovva, ov [iij8ea yevvijevTa, '^ dWd (T^xupos eqv /cat \jrdvTodevl^ Tcros eaurwi.
For from its back there swing no branching arms. It hath no feet nor knees alert, nor form Of life-producing member, — on all sides A sphere it was, and like unto itself.
30. airap iirel fieya Neifcos ivliiiMeXeecra-iv idpi^^dt} cs Ti/xas T dv6pov<r€ reXeiOfievoLO xRovolo, 05 c^tj' a/tot^aio? TrXaTcos Trap' iXijXaTai opKov...Yet after mighty Strife had waxen great Within the members of the Sphere, and rose To her own honors, as the times arrived Which unto each in turn, to Strife, to Love, Should come by amplest oath and old. decree...31. irdvra yap efeiijs TreXe/ii^cTO yvZa OeoLO.
For one by one did quake the limbs of God.
Physical Analogies, 32. SvQ) 8&EI dpdpOV.
The joint binds two.
33- (US 8' St oiros ydXa XevKov eyo/Lw^tuaei' Kal eSi/cre...But as when rennet of the fig-tree juice Curdles the white milk, and will bind it fast...34a\<f>LTou vSari KoWi^cra;...Cementing meal with water...
The Conquest of ^ove. 35. aiirap iyo) wakivopcro^ Ikeva-ojjLai e? iropov viivotv, Toi' irporepov KareXefa, \6yov \6yov e^o;^eTcua»v, Kiivov eiret Net/cos fiev iveprarov lkcto j3evdo^ BivT]^, iv Be fi4(rt)i ^iXodjs arpo^dkiyyi yevryrai, iv TTJi Srj TaSe travra o-vvep^eTaL ev fiovov elvai, ovK a(f)ap, dXXa dekyjfia (rvvurrdfiev' dWodeu aXXa. tS)v Se re fhia-yo^ivoiv x^^''"' e^vea [ivpia dviyrav ■TToXXo, 8' dfieiKT eoTfjKe Kepaiofiivounv ivaWd^, ocrcr' &i Nei/cos ipvxe fierdpcnov ov yap d[ie[i^e(i)<s T&v irav i^eoTTjKeu iir' ecr)(cLTa repixara kvkXov, aXXd Ta fiev t ivip,i,iive^ fiekecov to. Be t e^e^efirJKei. 6(T<Tov S' aleu VTreKTrpodeoi, tocov alev iirqieL •Tjino^poiv ^iXoTTjTOS dfiefi^eo^ dfju^poro^ opjjiijau/ra Be dpiJT i^vovTO, ra Trplv fiddov dddvar eivai, ^(opd re Ta vpiv, aKprfa [K/jijra,?] BiaWd^avTa Ke- But hurrying back, I now will make return To paths of festal song, laid down before, Draining each flowing thought from flowing thought. When down the Vortex to the last abyss Had foundered Hate, and Lovingness had reached The eddying center of the Mass, behold Around her into Oneness gathered all. Yet not a-sudden, but only as willingly Each from its several region joined with each; And from their mingling thence are poured abroad The multitudinous tribes of mortal things. Yet much unmixed among the mixed reijnained, As much as Hate still held in scales, aloft. For not all blameless did Hate yield and stand Out yonder on the circle's utmost bounds; But partwise yet within he stayed, partwise Was he already from the members gone. And ever the more skulked away and fled, Then ever the more, and nearer, inward pressed The gentle minded, the divine Desire Of blameless Lovingness. Thence grew apace Those mortal Things, erstwhile long wont to be Immortal, and the erstwhile pure and sheer Were mixed, exchanging highways of new life. And from their mingling thence are poured abroad The multitudinous tribes of mortal things, (Knit in all forms and wonderful to see.
36. Twv 8e trwepxofievav e£ ecrxo-TOP icrTaTO NetKos.
And as they came together. Hate began To take his stand far on the outer verge.
And Earth through Earth her figure magnifies, And Air through Air.
THE FRIVGMENTS OF EMPEDOCLES. 33 The World as It Now Is. 38. ,.. ci 8' aye toi Xc^cu TrpStd' rfkiKd t a.p-)(y\v^ eg (OP 07J\' iyevovTO to. twv iaopa/xev diravra, yaia re. Kai irovro? irokvKviLOiv '^8' uypos a,tqp TiTttj/ "qo aidrjp cr(f>Lyyo)v irepl kvkKov diravra.
Come! I will name the like-primeval Four, Whence rose to sight all things we now behold— Earth, many-billowed Sea, and the moist Air, And Aether, the Titan, who binds the globe about.
Earth and Air Not Illimitable.
If Earth's black deeps were endless, and o'er-fuU Were the white Ether, as forsooth 5 some tongues Have idly prated in the babbling mouths Of those who little of the All have seen...Sun and Moon. 40. lyXios 6§v^e\rjs '^8' iKdeipa (reXijvri, Keen-darting Helios and Selene mild.
41. aXX' o fjiev a\i(rdel^ fieyav ovpavbv dfjL<f>Lno\evei, But the sun's fires, together gathered, move Attendant round the mighty space of heaven, 34 THE FRAGMENTS OF EMPBDOCLES.
42.
cot' av trji KadvirepdeVf direcrKvi^QXTe 8e yaiij? To<r(Tov o(Tov T e?)po<s yXavKcamSos errXero firjvrji.
And the sun's beams The moon, in passing under, covers o'er. And darkens a bleak tract of earth as large As is the breadth of her, the silver-eyed.
43ws avyrj rv^axra crcXijj'aMjs kvkKov evpvv...As sunbeam striking on the moon's broad disk.
44. dpTavyel irpos "OXvfnrov dTap^rj'TOKri Trpotramoi^, Toward Olympos back he darts his beams, With fearless face.
45- KUfcXpre/Dcs irtpX yalav IKurtreTaL dWorpiov «^a)S.
Round le^rth revolves a disk of alien light.
46. ap/taro? ws irepi )(yoLri e\«r(reTai rj re irap' aKpijv.
Even as revolves a chariot's nave, which round The outmost...47ddpel fiev ydp dvaKTos ivavrCov ayia kvkKov.
For toward the sacred circle of her lord She gazes face to face.
But earth makes night for beams of sinking sun.
The Darkling Night. 49. WKTO^ iprffiaCr)? dXatuTTiSo?...Of night, the lonely, with her sightless eyes.
Iris from sea brings wind or mighty rain.
Fire. SI. Ka/)iraXt/x,(us S' apoTraLov...And fire sprang upward with a rending speed.
The Volcano. 52. 'iroXXa 8' ii/epOe ouScos irvpa Katerai.
And many a fire there burns beneath the ground.
Air. S3. ovTCt) yap aweKvpcre detov Tore, iroXXa/ci 0 aXXcDS, For sometimes so upon its course it met, And ofttimes otherwise.
Things Passing Strange. / aWrjp [8* aS] fiaKp^uri Kara x^ova Bvero plt,ai^.
In Earth sank Ether with deep-stretching roots.
ssy^s 'iZpayra daXaartrav.
Earth's sweat, the sea.
s6. aXs iirdyj] piirrjuriv ioxTp-kvo^ '^cXioio.
The salt grew solid, smit by beams of sun.
X Strange Creatures of Olden Times.
57.
iji TToXXal fiev Kopcrai dvav^eves ip\d(rr7}(rav, yvfivoX 8' iTrkdl^ovTO Ppa^Coves evi'i8es afitov, oiiiiard T oTa iirXavaTO TKvrjTevopra p.erdm(av.
There budded many a head without a neck. And arms were roaming, shoulderless and bare, And eyes that wanted foreheads drifted by.
In isolation wandered every limb, Hither and thither seeing union meet.
THE FRAGMENTS OF EMPEDOCLES. 3/ 59avrap iirei Kara fji€lt,ov i/JLCa-yero hatfiovi SaCfiaiVj Tavra re trujUHrMrretr/coi', oTrrjc (rvv€Kvp(rev e/caora, aXXa re irpos tois rroXXd Sii/ve/c^ i^eyivoi/ro.
But now as God with God was mingled more, These members fell together where they met, And many a birth besides was then begot In a long line of ever varied life.
60. ciXwroS' aKpLToxapa.
Creatures of countless hands and trailing feet.
>',,, ^\, iroXXa [lev djow^iTr/aocrtuTra Kot d/i^wrrcpi/a «^uea^ai, ^ovyevrj avhpoirpoiipa, to. S' efLiroKiv i^avareWetv TTjL Se yvvai,KO<j>vrj, (TKiepols ^cr/cij/u.ei'a yuiois.
Many were born with twofold brow and breast, Some with the face of man on bovine stock, Some with man's form beneath a bovine head, Mixed shapes of being with shadowed secret parts. Sometimes like men, and sometimes womangrowths.
62. vvv S' ay, oTTws dv8po)v re TToXvKXavrcov tc ywaiKav ivvv)(tov? opwqKas dvijyaye Kpi,v6p.evov iTvp, Twi'Se kXu'' ov yap fiv0o^ dirocTKOTro^ ou8' dSa-qfiav. ouXof^ueis fiev irpSna Tvrroi ^^ovos c^ai'CTeXXoi', dfi^orepcov vSaros t£ koI bSeos aTcrav e)(ovTes' TOWS jJ-ev irvp dveveiirre 6e\ov irpos o/ioioi' i/cecrpai, owe Ti wct) fieXiav iparov Se/j>a; cyx^awovras our' ivoTT^v olov t ewi^^cupioi/ dvBpd<ri yviov.
But come! now hear how 'twas the sundered Fire Led into life the germs, erst whelmed in night, Of men and women, the pitied and bewailed; For 'tis a tale that sees and knows its mark. First rose mere lumps of earth with rude impress, That had their shares of Water and of Warm. These then by Fire (in upward zeal to reach Its kindred Fire in heaven) were shot aloft, Albeit not yet had they revealed a form Of lovely limbs, nor yet a human cry, Nor secret member, common to the male.
The Process of Human Generation To-day. 63. dXXa StetTTraorai fiekioiv ij>v(n^' 17 fiev iv d.vBp6s...But separate is the birth of human limbs; For 'tis in part in man's...64. rm S' ivl Kal Ilodos eicri Si' oi/rios dii[uiiprJL(rK(ov.
Love-longing comes, reminding him who sees.
Into clean wombs the seeds are poured, and when Therein they meet with Cold, the birth is girls; And boys, when contrariwise they meet with Warm.
Into the cloven meads of Aphrodite.
. 67. iv yap depfioripai roKa; dppevo^ eirXero yacrrqp-KoX [iiXave? Sta tovto koI avhpu&iaTepoi dvSpe^ Kal \axviJ€VTe<s fiaWov.
For bellies with the warmer wombs become Mothers of boys, and therefore men are dark, More stalwart and more shaggy.
68. firfvos iv oySootTov ScKanji irvov erXero XevKov.
On the tenth day, in month the eighth, the blood Becomes white pus.
69. SCyovoi, Twice bearing.
70. aiiviov.
Sheepskin.
On Animals and Plants. 71ei 8e Ti croi vepl rSivSe Xnro^vXo^ eirXero wwrns, ttSs uSttTos yaCrj^ re koI aWepo^ -^eXCov re KLpvafievav eiSrj re yci'oiaTO xpoid re dvriTav Too'o"', otra vCv yeydaai (rwapfiotrdei/r 'A^poSCnrii,..
And if belief lack pith, and thou still doubt How from the mingling of the elements. The Earth and Water, the Ether and the S)Xm,^ikk So many forms and hues of mortal things Could thus have being, as have come to be, Each framed and knit by Aphrodite's power...72. iTa><i KoX SivBpea fiaKpa koX avaXioi Kafiaarjve^...As the tall trees and fish in briny floods.
73. <us 8e TOTS x^^^"" Kuir/)is, cttci t' iSCrfvev iv ofifipcjif rSea TTOiirvvovcra OoSti irvpX h5>K€ Kparvvat...As Kypris, after watering Earth with Rain, Zealous to heat her, then did give Earth o'er To speed of Fire that then she might grow firm.
74- ^v\ov afiovcTov ayovtra iroKvo'iKpioiv Kafiaaifivaiv.
Leading the songless shoals of spawning fish.
7S. t5)v 8' Oct' «ro) /i,ej/ irvKvd, to. 8' eKToOi (lavd ireirqye, Kv7r/3i8os iv Trakdii-qta-L irXaSrjs ToiyjaSe TV)(6vTa...Of beasts, inside compact with outsides loose. Which, in the palms of Aphrodite shaped, Got this their sponginess.
76. TovTO (lev iv Koy^aKTi 6a\a<Tcrov6p,o)v ^apvvaroi^y VOL firiv KrjpvKmv re XiOoppivwv j^eXucui' re* O'^' oi/jei ■)(d6vaL xpojTos uire/araTa vaifrdovfrav.
'Tis thus with conchs upon the heavy chines Of ocean-dwellers, aye, of shell-fish wreathed, Or stony-hided turtles, where thou mark'st The earthen crust outside the softer parts.
77-78.
Trees bore perennial fruit, perennial fronds. Laden with fruit the whole revolving year. Since fed forever by a fruitful air.
Thus first tall olives lay their yellow eggs.
80. ovvcKev o^iyovoC re ctSai koi VTrep^Xoia fJLTJXa.
Wherefore pomegranates slow in ripening be, And apples grow so plentiful in juice.
81. oTi'os avo (jiXoiov TreXcrai (xairkv iv ^uXtui vocop.
Wine is but water fermented in the wood, And issues from the rind.
82. TavTtt T/3i;j(es Kal ^uXXa koI oIcopZv irrepa irvKva Kal XciriScs yiyvovrai iirX cTTiySapoicri fif\e<r(Tiv.
From the same stuff on sturdy limbs grow hair, Leaves, scales of fish, and bird's thick-feathered plumes.
Stiff hairs, keen-piercing, bristle on the chines Of hedge-hogs.
Our Eyes. 84. ais 8' ore ns trpooBov voicov o}Tr\Ccr(TaTO \&yyov \€vp,epCT)v Sia vvKTa, ttu/oos creXas aWofiepoio at/fa?, vavTouav dvefiiov XafMTT'^pa^ dfiopyovs, ol T dvifioiv fiep iTvevp.a SiatrxiSvao'iz' dkvTOiv, <^5s 8' efcu hiadpatKTKQv^ oarov Tavaampov ^ev, XdfjLTrea-Kev Kara ^iqXov drupkcriv aKTivetrtrii'* ws 8e tot' ei* p,rjviy^iv iepyfjiivov oyyvyLOif Trvp XeirrrjurCv [t] odovtfuri Xoj^a^ero icvfcXoTra kou/mjj', [at] ^odvr^KTi BCavra TerprjaTO d^cnreo'i'quri.v at 8' uSaTos /u.ei' ^evdos direcrreyov dfitftLvaivros, iTvp 8' e^co SiieaKov, ocrov Tavad/repov ^€v.
As when a man, about to sally forth. Prepares a light and kindles him a blaze Of flaming fire against the wintry night. In horny lantern shielding from all winds; Though it protect from breatb of blowing winds, Its beam darts outward, as more fine and thin, And with untiring rays lights up the sky: Just so the Fire primeval once lay hid In the round pupil of the eye, enclosed In films and gauzy veils, which through and through Were pierced with pores divinely fashioned. And thus kept off the watery deeps around, Whilst Fire burst outward, as more fine and thin.
The gentle flame of eye did chance to get Only a little of the earthen part.
From which by Aphrodite, the divine. The untiring eyes were formed.
Thus Aphrodite wrought with bolts of love.
/xi'a yCyverai dfi^orepav oip.
One vision of two eyes is born.
Similia similibus. 89. yj/ous, ori irdvTav elcrlv airoppoai, ocra eyevovTO...Knowing that all things have their emanations.
90. ws yXvKV fikv y\vKv [idpirre, mKpop o eiri iriKpov Thus Sweet seized Sweet, Bitter on Bitter flew, Sour sprung for Sour, and upon Hot rode Hot.
91. otvcM,..fiSWov ivdpdiiiov, avrap eXaicui ovK iOekei.
Water to wine more nearly is allied, But will not mix with oil.
92. t5i KaTTiripoii p.€i\divTa tov -)(a.\K6v...As when one mixes with the copper tin.
With flax is mixed the silvery elder's seed.
The Black River Bottoms. 94et niger infundofluvii color exstat ab umbra., atque cavernosis itidem spectatur in antris.
And the black color of the ri»ver's deeps Comes all from shade; and one may see the same In hollow caves.
Eyes.
As, in the palms of Kypris shaped, they first Began to grow together.., Bones.
17 8e xdav iirurjpois iv evarepvoi^ xoapouri TO) 8vo t5>v okto} fiep€Q};if ^^X^ NiyariSos aiyXrjs, ricra-apa 8' 'H<^awrToto* to. S' ocrTca XeuKa yivovro 'Kpp.oviri^ KoWyfLCiv dpiijpoTa deairea'C'rjdev.
Kind Earth for her broad-breasted melting-pots, aH Of the eight parts got two of Lucid Nestis, ' "^^^ And of Hephaestos four. Thence came white bones. Divinely joined by glue of Harmony.
97pdx,Lv.
The back-bone.
Blood and Flesh. 98. 17 8e XOeov rovTowTiv ta-ij crvveKvpcre. pakurra, 'H^awTTOJi T op^pai re koI aWepi ira/K^ai'ocui/Ti, KvTT/siSos oppurdutra, reXeiois ej/ Xupevecraiv eiT oXCyov fieC^av etre irXeoveo'a'iv ikaxTtroyv tK T&v at[id re yevro Kot aXXiys elSea trapKos.
And after Earth within the perfect ports u, Of Aphrodite anchored lay, she met-wlt.^-'^^^— ~ Almost in equal parts Hephaestos red, And Rain and Ether, the all-splendorous (Although the parts of Earth were sometimes less, Sometimes a little more than theirs). From these There came our blood and all the shaples of flesh.
The Ear.
A bell...a fleshy twig.
^ The Rushing Blood and the Clepsydra. 100. 58c 8' avatrvii irdvra Kot iKtrvei- ira<ri XC^axfioi trapKciu aijpiyye^ irvp.aTov Kara (r&iia rerawai, KaC cr<f>Lv iirl (TTop.ioi% irvKivai's Terptrfyrax ako^iv pivav ia~)(aTa ripOpa, Siapirepe^, aafe <j>6vov p,dv KevOav, aldepi 8' eviropCrjv SidSoicri TeTp,rj(r6cu. evBep eiraff' oirorav pev diraif^Tji ripev atpa, al0^p Trac^Xa^Qjv Karaicrcrerai olSpaTL papyai, eSre 8' dvadptouricqi, irdKiv e/orveiei, acinp orav irais KKexfwBprji Trat^TjMrt Sieiirereos xaX/coio* cSre pev avXou vspdpov iir' eveiSeX X^P'' ^cio"** CIS i!8aTos ^dirrqiai ripev Bepa^ dpyu^e'oio, ou8' er cs dyyoaS' op^po^ i(rep\er(u, dWd piv elpyei depo^ oyKO^ earwde irea-otv itrl TpijpaTa irvKvd, e'uroK dirooTeyctcnjt wukivov poov avrdp eireira TTvevfiwro^ iWeCiromos io'ep^eram aurtfiov vBap. atq 8' avTQx;, off' vScop fiev exV" 'f'*''"^ fievdea ^aX/coO TTopdfiov \oiarffivTo<s ^porecM XP°^ V^^ iropoio^ aidrip S' CKTOS area XcXiijju.ei'os ofi^pov ipvKa dp.^1 inJXas itr^/ioio Sv(r'q-)(eo<s, a.Kpa Kparvvtap, elaoKC xei/oi fiedrji- totc S' aw iraXij', ^^aXii' 17 Tr/aw, ■m/eu/xaTos efiTTMrroiTos vireKOea atcnfiov vScop. ws S' avrcD; ripev aTfia Kka^aa-croiiepov SioL yuitai' oiTTTOTe jLiei/ irakivopa-ov diraifeie iiv^ovSe, aWepo^ eu^v? p&jjjia KaT€p-)^erat, oiSjuari ^Coi/, eSre 8' avadpwurKrji, iraXiv iK-irvea Ixrov oTruTtrm.
And thus does all breathe in and out. In all, Over the body's surface, bloodless tubes Of flesh are stretched, and, at their outlets, rifts /Innumerable along the outmost rind ^ Are bored; and so the blood remains within; For air, however, is cut a passage free. And when from here the thin blood backward streams, The air comes rushing in with roaring swell; But when again it forward leaps, the air In turn breathes out; as when a little girl Plays with a water-clock of gleaming bronze: As long as ever the opening of the pipe Is by her pretty fingers stopped and closed. And thuswise plunged within the yielding mass Of silvery water, can the Wet no more Get in the vessel; but the air's own weight, That falls inside against the countless holes, Keeps it in check, until the child at last Uncovers and sets free the thickened air, When of a truth the water's destined bulk Gets in, as air gives way. Even so it is, When in the belly of the brazen clock The water lies, and the girl's finger tip Shuts pipe and tube: the air, that from without Comes pressing inward, holds the water back About the gateways of the gurgling neck, As the child keeps possession of the top. Until her hand will loosen, when amain — Quite contrariwise to way and wise before — Pours out and under the water?s destined bulk, As air drops down and in. Even so it is With the thin blood that through our members drives: When hurrying back it streams to inward, then Amain a flow of air comes rushing on; But when again it forward leaps, the air In turn breathes out along the selfsame way.
Scent.
lOI.
KipfJiara OrjpeCcov [leXeav [ivKT-^pcriv ipeuvZv, [^(uoj'^'] oacr direXewre voBwv a.TraX'^t irepl irovqi...Sniffing with nostrils mites from wild beasts' limbs, Left by their feet along the tender grass...102.
58e (ikv ovu irvoLT]^ re XeXo-y^acri irdvra koX 6crju,a)i>. And thus got all things share of breath and smells.
On the PsychicJLife. 103.
Thus all things think their thougm^ will of Chance.
104. Kai Kaff o<rov fikv dpaioTara ^veicvpcre vecrovTa, And in so far the lightest at their fall Do strike together...--^i 105. atfiaro^ iv ir^Kdye.cTa'i redpafifievr) avTidopovro^, T'^i re vorffjua /ictXiora Kikk'qa'KeTcu avOpmnoKriv aifia yap avdpanoi.^ irepi-KoipBiov icrn vorjfia.
In the blood-streams, back-leaping unto it, The heart is nourished, where prevails the power That men call thought; for lo the blood that stirs About the heart is man's controlling thought.
For unto men their thrift of reason grows, According to the body's thrift and state.
107.
CK TovTcov [yap] irdvra ireTnjyacriv apfiocrdepTa Kal Tourois ^poviova-i koX rjSovT '^8' dvLcUvTai.
For as of these commingled all things are. Even so through these men think, rejoice, or grieve.
io8. o(r(rov [S'] dWoioi jieri^w^ t6<tov dp <r^uriv aiei KoX TO ^povelp dWola tTapixTTaraj...As far as mortals change by day, so far By night their thinking changes...109. yaCrjL fiev yap yalav otrdmaficv y uSan 8' vStup, aitfepi o aiaepa olov, arap irvpi irvp aioiyA.oi', (rTopyr/v 8e a-Topyrji, I'etKos 8e re veiKe'C \vypoii.
For 'tis through Earth that Earth we do behold, Through Ether, divine Ether luminous, Through Water, Water, through Fire, devouring Fire, And Love through Love, and Hate through doleful Hate.
no. ei ydp Kcp (rtj)' dBtvrjicnv viro iTpawiSe(rtTi.v ipeicra^ evp-eveo)^ Ka&aprjuriv crrowTcvtrTjis fiekerquriv, ravrd ri oroi ju.aXa irdvra 81' al&vo? TrapecrovraL, aXXa re ttoXX' diro t&vB' CKTijo-eai- avra ydp av£« TavT CIS ^Oo^ eKacTTOv, oinji ^utris ia-rlv e/catrTwi. CI oe (TV y aAAouuv eiropegeav, ota kot avopa<s p.vpCa 8ciX.a TT^Xovrai a t dp,pKvvovcri p,epLp.va^, •^ cr' a^ap e»cXeM/»ov(n n€pnr\op,€voLO ^povoLO (T^aiv avT&v irodiovra ^ikiqv em yevvav iKecrOaf irdpTa ydp ladi <]>p6vr)<riv ^eiv koX v(op,aro^ dttrav.
For if reliant on a spirit firm, With inclination and endeavor pure, Thou wilt behold them, all th«se things shall be Forever thine, for service, and besides Thereof full many another shalt thou gain; For of themselves into that core they grow Of each man's nature, where his essence lies. But if for others thou wilt look and reach — Such empty treasures, myriad and vile, As men be after, which forevermore Blunt soul and keen desire — O then shall these Most swiftly leave thee as the seasons roll; For all their yearning is a quick return Unto their own primeval stock. For know: All things have fixed intent and share of thought.
And thou shalt master every drug that e'er Was made defense 'gainst sickness and old age — For thee alone all this I will fulfil — And thou shalt calm the might of tireless winds, That burst on earth and ruin seedlands; aye.
And if thou wilt, shalt thou arouse the blasts, And watch them take their vengeance, wild and shrill, For that before thou cowedst them. Thou shalt change Black rain to drought, at seasons good for men, And the long drought of summer shalt thou change To torrents, nourishing the mountain trees. As down they stream from ether. And thou shalt From Hades beckon the might of perished men.
THE PURIFICATIONS.
The Healer and Prophet.
112.
ft) (^tXoi, 01 fiiya darv Kara ^avOov ' AKpdyavros vai£T av aKpa TrdXeos, dyadZv [leXeStJiiove? ipycov, geivav aiSoioi Xifieves KaKOTrjros direipoi,, XatpeT- iyo} S' vpXv deo<i dfi/SpoTo^, ovKeri OvrjTo^ 7rft)XeG/u,ai /Licra ttScti rerifievo^, axrirep Ibt/ca, raiz/tais re 7rep[(rTeirTo<s ar4<^ecri,v re ^aXeiois* TOLcriv ap, [evr'J av iKCDpao e? dcrrca TrjXeddovTa, dvhpd<Tiv rjl^k yvvai^i, tre^i^o/iaf oi S' ajoi' eirovTai p,vpioL i^epeoi/T£^, otttji irpos KepBo<s aTapiro's, OL p,ev p-avToavvioiv Ke)(jfyiqpivoi, ol S' ettI voiiroip iravToioyv iirvdovTo Kkueiv evr)Kea, fid^Lv Brjpov Srj ^aXeTroicri ireTrappivoi [dp^i p,6yoi(riv\.
Ye friends, who in the mighty city dwell Along the yellow Acragas hard by The Acropolis, ye stewards of good works, The stranger's refuge venerable and kind. All hail, O friends! But unto ye I walk As god immortal now, no more as man,. On all sides honored fittingly and well, Crowned both with fillets and with flowering wreaths. When with my throngs of men and women I come To thriving cities, I am sought by prayers, And thousands follow me that they may ask The path to weal and vantage, craving some For oracles, whilst others seek to hear AJiealing word 'gainst many a foul disease That all too long hath pierced with grievous pains.
113dXXa Ti ToitrS' eTfiKeifi oxnl fieya ^f/r/fia ti Troacra'OiVf ei dvajrav irepueLfii 'iro\vtf>0epeo)v avOpmroav; Yet why urge more, as if forsooth I wrought Some big affair — do I not far excel The^ mortals round me, doomed to many deaths!
O friends, I know indeed in these the words Which I will speak that very truth abides; But greatly troublous unto men alway Hath been the emulous struggle of Belief To reach their bosoms.
- THE FRAGMENTS OF EMPEDOCLES. 55 There is a word of Fate, an old decree And everlasting of the gods, made fast With amplest oaths, that whosoe'er of those Far spirits, with their lot of age-long life, Do foul their limbs with slaughter in oflfense. Or swear forsworn, as failing of their pledge. Shall wander thrice ten thousand weary years Far from the Blessed, and be born through time In various shapes of mortal kind, which change Ever and ever troublous paths of life: For now Air hunts them onward to the Sea; Now the wild Sea disgorges them on Land; Now Earth will spue toward beams of radiant Sun; Whence he will toss them back to whirling Air — Each gets from other what they all abhor. And in that brood I too am numbered now, A fugitive and vagabond from heaven, ^■^ As t5iIe'^edient"unto raving Strife.
ii6. OTuyeei SvarXrjrov 'AvdyK7)v.
Charis abhors intolerable Fate.
117. ■ijBr) yap vor iyot yevofi.'qv Kovpo? re Koptj re dd[ivo<i T oicDi/os re /cat efaXos cXXotto? i}(0vs.
For I was once already boy and girl, Thicket and bird, and mute fish in the waves.
This Earth of Ours. 118. fcXavcra re /cal KtoKvcra ISwp aavvqdea -^wpov.
I wept and wailed, beholding the strange place.
From what large honor and what height of bliss Am I here fallen to move with mortal kind!
This Sky-Roofed World. 120. rj\vdop.e.v ToS' utt' dvrpov virocrTeyov...And then we came unto a roofed cave.
This Vale of Tears. 121.
drepTrda ^wpov^ evda <^6vo? re Kotos re Kal dWcov idvea Krjpav avxp-yjpaC re. voaoi. Kal (rTJ\lii,es ipya re pevard *Attjs dv XeLfiava Kara, o-kotos 'Q\dcrKova-Lv.
A joyless land, Where Slaughter and Grudge, and troops of Dooms besides, Where shriveled Diseases and obscene Decays, And Labors, burdened with the water-jars, Do wander down the dismal meads of Bane.
122.
evO ^(rav KdoviTj re Kal 'HXiowrj TavaZvi^f ArjpC^ 6' aijuaroEO'cra Kal 'Kpfiovir] defiepamSy KaXXioTc!) t' Attrxpij re, ©ococrd re Arjvair) tc, N'r}p,epr>j^ t ipotcraa fieXdyKovpos t 'Atrd^eia.
There was Earth-mother, There the far-peering Virgin of the Sun, And bloody Quarrel and grave-eyed Harmony, And there was Fair and Foul and Speed and Late, Black-haired Confusion and sweet maiden Sure.
123. ^craJ T€ ^difiiirq re, Kal Evvacrj Kal *Eye/0(ris, Kiz^<u T ' AareiMtfyyjs re, ■ir6kvaTi<\>av6<i re Meyiorw Kal ^opvTj, Xamij re Kal '0[i<f>aLy)...Growth and Decay, and Sleep and Roused-fromsleep. Action and Rest, and Glory many-crowned. And Filth, and Silence and prevaihng Voice.
O mortal kind! O ye poor sons of grief! From such contentions and such sighings sprung!
The Changing Forms.
I2S.
For from the living he the dead did make, Their forms exchanging...126. arapKciv aWoyvZri irepurTeWovo'a '}(t,T(ovi.
All things doth Nature change, enwrapping souls In unfamiliar tunics of the flesh.
127.
y The worthiest dwellings for the SDiila_of men. When 'tis. IhfdxJot-toJive in forms of brutes, Are taway-lions, those great beasts that sleep Couched on the black earth up the mountain side; But, when in forms of beautiful plumed trees They live, the bays are worthiest fo^' souls.
The Golden Age. 128. ou8e Tis "ffv KeipoLcrLV "Aprj^ 6eo^ ouSe KvSotju.os ouSe Zeus ^acriXeus ovSe Kpovo^ ovSe llo<TeiSuvy dXXa Kuirpis )8a(riXcia.
T^v ol y evcre^4e<Ta'Lv dyaXfiacnv IkdcrKovro ypairrois tc ^(oloutl fjivpoi(rC re SaiSaXedSjuois (TfivpvrjS T dKprJTOV dva-Cau's Xu^dvov re dvaSovS) ^ovdav re crirovBas iifkvrav piirTovTCs es oSSas- Tavpwv S' a.KpiJTOLa'i (})6vol? ov Seuero )8(uju.d?, dXXa fLViTos TovT €(TKev iv dvOpoTTOLcn fiiyiOTOv, dvfjiov diroppaLcravTas ive8fi€vat, rjia yvZa.
Nor unto them Was any Ares god, nor Kydoimos, Nor Zeus, the king of gods, nor Kronos, nor Poseidon then, but only Kypris queen...Whom they with holy gifts were wont to appease. With painted images of living things. With costly unguents of rich fragrancy. With gentle sacrifice of taintless myrrh, With redolent fumes of frankincense, of old Pouring libations out upon the ground Of yellow honey; not then with unmixed blood Of many bulls was ever an altar stained; But among men 'twas sacrilege most vile To reave of life and eat the goodly limbs.
The Sage. I2g. ^v 8e Tis ip KeCpoicriv dvrjp irepiwtna eiSeu;, OS 81) p/rjKLCTTOv irpaTTi^oiv iKrrjcraTO liKcnrrov travToutiv re /ActXtcrTa cro^mv iiriTJpavo? epyav OTTiroTe yap irdcrquTiv ope^cuTO irpairiSeo'a'iv, peT 6 ye tZu ovto)v TravTatv XeucrcrecTKev eKaarov KaC re Seic' dvOpdnrotv Kat t eiKocriv almve<T<riv.
Was one among them there, a supreme man Of vastest knowledge, gainer of large wealth Of understanding, and chief master wise Of diverse works of skill and wisdom all; 6o THE FRAGMENTS OF EMPEDOCLES. | For whensoe'er he sought with scope and reach Of understanding, then 'twas his to view Readily each and every thing that e'er In ten or twenty human ages throve.
Those Days. 130. ^(rav 8e /crtXa vaivra Kal avOpdmouri irpcxrqvri, Orjpes T olo)voiT€, ^L\o<f)po(rvv7j re SeSi/ei.
All things were tame, and gentle toward men. All beasts and birds, and friendship's flame blew fair.
The Divine. 131. €1 yap iijyqfiepuov ei/eKev nvo<s, afi^pore Movtra, Tj/ierepas jncXeras [fxeXe toi] 8ia <^povTiSos iKdeiv, eixofievioi vvv aSre rrapuTToaro, KaXXtoTreta, dju^l Bewv fiaKoipcav dyadov \6yov ip,(f>aCvovTi.
For since, O Muse undying, thou couldst deign To give for these our paltry human cares A gateway to thy soul, O now much more, Kalliope of the beautiful dear voice, Be near me now beseeching! — whilst I speak Excelling thoughts about the blessed ^ods.
O well with him who hath secured his wealth THE FRAGMENTS OF EMPEDOCLES. 6l Of thoughts divine, O wretchel! he whose care Is shadowy speculation on the gods!
133oiiK eoTLV treXacraxrdai. iv o^OaKiLoiaw i^iKTOv iT€i9ov^ avdpamoia-iv ajuafiTos eis <}>p€va TTHrra.
We may not bring It near us with our eyes, We may not grasp It with our human hands, With neither hands nor eyes, those highways twain Whereby Belief drops into minds of men.
134ovoe yap dvSpop,er]t. Ke<j)a\rJL Kara yvla Ke/caorcu, ov p,kv airaX vdrroio Svo KXaSoi ditrcowat, ov iroSes, ov doa yovva, pv fiijSea Xa^i/ijewa, dXka ^pTjv lep'^ Kal d6e(r<]>aT0^ eirXeTO p,ovvov, (ftpovTurt Kotrp-ov diravTa KaTataaovaa dorjitriv.
For 'tis adorned with never a manlike head.
For from Its back there swing no branching arms.
It hath no feet nor knees alert, nor form Of tufted secret member; but It lives, Ojig^holy mind, ineffable, alone.
And with swift thoughts darts through the universe.
But the wide law of all extends throughout Broad-ruling ether and the vast white sky.
Will ye not cease from this great din o£ slaughter? Will ye not see, unthinking as ye are, How ye rend one another unbeknown?