Classic Poem

CARTHAGINIAN SONG TO THE MOON .

Oh luminous Tanit! unto us thou sendest
The wandering winds, the dews and many rains,
And by thy wondrous rise and fall thou lendest
New mysteries to our green, abundant plains.

The eyes of cats grow narrow by thy changes,
The spots of panthers by thy rays expand,
And fearless beasts within the mountain ranges
Grow terrible or weak at thy command.

The shells that dot the tawny beach thou fillest,
Thou makest pearls, pale jewels of the sea,
And with great awe our listening ears thou thrillest
By all the grace that emanates from thee.

The corpses of our foes thou putrefiest,
Thou callest phantoms and destructive dreams;
Thou art our blessed Tanit, purest, highest!
We worship in bewilderment thy beams!

Oh, thou art white, and luminous, and splendent!
Thou art serene, immaculate, complete,
Pacing the skies with all thy stars attendant,
And Carthage like a jewel at thy feet!

Thine eyes devour our temples and our altars,
Thy sheen doth even sicken the sacred apes;
Their bestial courage in thy presence falters,
Their sense is terrorized by heavenly shapes.

Oh Tanit! whitest moon, forever holy!
Watch us and guard us from thy distant throne!
Thee will we venerate and worship solely,
Thou of all goddesses art pure alone!