Herakles
(Twilight of the Gods)
Atlas, who on his brawny shoulders bore
The heavens of sublime mythology,
Waited impatiently for Herakles
To take his burden, as the gods decreed.
Those gods looked down from their celestial height
To mock the puny hero’s hopeless task;
No mortal could sustain, for long, the weight
Of legendary history.
But when
Herakles came as they had planned, and seized
The chance that fateful destiny had brought –
To hold the heavens and to use them how
He chose – he shook the startled gods from their
Ineffable complacency!.
Too late
Alarmed, they ordered Herakles to give
The skies back to reluctant Atlas but,
Though he complied, they were so shaken that –
Confused by human wit and ingenuity –
They never could restore the status quo ante!.
