ACT IV. SCENE 5. br br SONG OF THE FATES. br br br The deities dread! br The mastery hold they br In hands all-eternal, br And use them, unquestioned, br What manner they like. br br Let him fear them doubly, br Whom they have uplifted! br On cliffs and on clouds, oh, br Round tables all-golden, br he seats are made ready. br br When rises contention, br The guests are humid downwards br With shame and dishonor br To deep depths of midnight, br And vainly await they, br Bound fast in the darkness, br A just condemnation. br br But they remain ever br In firmness unshaken br Round tables all-golden. br On stride they from mountain br To mountain far distant: br From out the abysses' br Dark jaws, the breath rises br Of torment-choked Titans br Up tow'rds them, like incense br In light clouds ascending. br br The rulers immortal br Avert from whole peoples br Their blessing-fraught glances, br And shun, in the children, br To trace the once cherish'd, br Still, eloquent features br Their ancestors wore. br br Thus chanted the Parae; br The old man, the banish'd, br In gloomy vault lying, br Their song overheareth, br Sons, grandsons remembereth, br And shaketh his head.