The Birth of Aphrodite

Unbounded Chaos wrapped the worlds of old
Where ranged all measureless both Time and Space,
Till Gæa, bounteous to her Titan race,
Gave them her fecund breasts of wealth untold.

They fell. The Stygian waves above them rolled,
And storm-swept never had the Spring's fair face
Brightened to feel the blazing sun's embrace,
Nor Summer seen her harvest's fruited gold.

In savage state, no joys within their breast,
The immortals held Olympus' snowy crest.
But from the heavens the virile dew fell free;

The Ocean cleaved; and Aphrodite nude
Rose radiant from the foaming, glowing sea
With life's own blood of Uranus endued.