COVER thy spacious heavens, Zeus, br With clouds of mist, br And, like the boy who lops br The thistles' heads, br Disport with oaks and mountain-peaks, br Yet thou must leave br My earth still standing; br My cottage too, which was not raised by thee; br Leave me my hearth, br Whose kindly glow br By thee is envied. br br I know nought poorer br Under the sun, than ye gods! br Ye nourish painfully, br With sacrifices br And votive prayers, br Your majesty: br Ye would e'en starve, br If children and beggars br Were not trusting fools. br br While yet a child br And ignorant of life, br I turned my wandering gaze br Up tow'rd the sun, as if with him br There were an ear to hear my wailings, br A heart, like mine, br To feel compassion for distress.